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Posted: Dec 04, 2008

Women's Basketball Rallies From 12 Down to Beat Eastern Nazarene in Overtime

Women's Basketball Rallies From 12 Down to Beat Eastern Nazarene in Overtime
Box Score

Framingham, MA - The Framingham State College women's basketball team overcame a 12 point deficit in the final 7:08 of regulation to force overtime where the Rams eventually defeated the Eastern Nazarene Crusaders 60-57 tonight at Framingham's Athletic Center.  With the win, the Rams improve to 3-4 on the season and the Crusaders also move to 3-4.

Trailing by one at the half (19-18), the Crusaders offense led by junior guard Christine Tucker (Antioch, CA) came alive in the second half and used a 17-5 run over the first eight minutes to open up a double digit lead.  Tucker scored a game-high 21 points including 14 in the second half.

Trailing by 12 with 7:08 remaining, the Rams went on an 18-6 run to tie the game at 47-47 on a baseline jumper from junior forward Kate Simonelli (Pittsfield, MA) with 1:52 remaining.  Junior Toya Chester (Leominster, MA), who finished with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Nicole McConaghy (Medford, MA) had six points a piece on the Rams comeback run.

After a Crusader turnover, sophomore forward Jill Johnson (Mansfield, MA), who grabbed a game-high 13 boards and four steals, found Chester alone on the baseline and Chester nailed the short jumper to put the Rams up 49-47 38 seconds remaining. Eastern Nazarene freshman forward Victoria Sontag (Mont Vernon, NH) would tie the score on the ensuing possession and force overtime.

In overtime, Simonelli drained a three and McConaghy scored a layup to put the Rams up 58-57 with under a minute remaining. Simonelli, who finished the day with 13 points and seven boards, then hit two free throws to seal the win as the Crusaders last second three was no good. 

Sophomore forward Jessica Schoppee (Scarborough, ME) finished the game with 16 points on 8 of 15 shooting from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds for the Crusaders.

The Rams return to action on Saturday as they travel to Curry College for a 1 p.m. game, while the Crusaders host Daniel Webster College at 7 p.m. on Saturday.