Box Score SPRINGFIELD, MA – American International College scored 13 unanswered points to erase a six-point deficit and upend The College of Saint Rose 64-58 in overtime in a Northeast-10 Conference game today at Henry A. Butova Gymnasium.
The Yellow Jackets (11-14/10-11 NE-10) overcame a dismal 33.9 percent (20-for-59) shooting performance by manufacturing a 19-8 margin from the foul line in the contest. American International buried 19-of-22 attempts and dodged a last second try by the Golden Knights at the end of regulation to snap a mild two-game skid.
Senior guard
Ashley Rath scored all nine points for the Golden Knights (16-9/13-8 NE-10) in overtime via a trio of 3-pointers. Rath finished with 17 points. Meanwhile, senior forward
Ali Johnson chalked up her fifth “double-double” of the year by tying her season-high with 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds.
American International received a game-high 21 points from freshman guard Alyssa Roach. Roach buried a trey and canned 5-of-6 from the charity stripe on the way to eight points in overtime alone. Senior guard Marie Li Sicard contributed 11 points, six boards and three steals off the bench.
The Yellow Jackets outscored the Golden Knights 15-9 in the extra session despite being held to just a pair of field goals, both 3-pointers. They instead buried 9-of-10 attempts from the foul line as opposed to Saint Rose, which did not take a free throw throughout the extra five minutes.
The Golden Knights appeared to be in control up five, 49-44, after Johnson hit 1-of-2 from the stripe with 2:02 left in regulation. However, Saint Rose was held scoreless in its final three possessions. Senior forward Rhea Pascal got American International started with a free throw, Roach finished in the paint and Li Sicard drained a jumper with 18 seconds left to knot things at 49-49. Senior forward
Alison McGrath could not get a layup to go down for the Golden Knights in the final seconds and thus overtime ensued.
In the additional period, it looked as if Saint Rose was going to escape after Rath opened up with back-to-back treys to put the Golden Knights on top 55-49. Roach then began her parade to the foul line, which jumpstarted a 13-0 run. Roach knocked down a 'three' to forge a 55-55 tie and then Li Sicard put the Yellow Jackets ahead to stay with a long range bucket of her own. Rath's last 3-pointer with eight seconds on the clock finally broke the Golden Knights' drought.
Both clubs return to action Tuesday night in their regular-season finales. Saint Rose will host the University of New Haven on 'Senior Night', while American International is set to host Assumption College. Tip-off for both games is 5:30 pm.
