Nov 19, 2010
MEADVILLE, Pa. – Rookie Erica Restich hit the biggest shot of her young career as she capped the Gators (2-0, 0-0 NCAC) improbable 18-point comeback in the second half to steal the game from Marietta College 80-79 in the first round of the 2010 Allegheny Invitational.
The Pioneers (0-1) controlled much of the game, particularly throughout the first half behind a dominating performance from sophomore Aleshia Guiler who pumped out 22 first half points. Guiler accounted for half of Marietta's points in the first half as they took a 12-point lead into the break.
The Gators, who were out-shot in the first half (48%-37%), came out in the second half and began to have positive possessions on the offensive side of the ball and began to slowly climb back into the game. The largest deficit that the Gators faced was 18 points with 14:55 left in the game. Over the next 1:40, the Gators went on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 10. Following the second made free throw by Laura Magnelliwith 7:19 left, the game was within one possession 66-63. The three-point lead was the lowest for the Pioneers since early in the first half when the game was 31-30 in favor of Marietta.
Daryl Ford knocked down a mid-range jumper to complete the 18-point comeback knotting the game at 67 with 6:20 left. Over the course of the double-digit comeback the Gators outscored the Pioneers 29-11. After the game was tied at 67, it was a back and forth contest with three ties and neither team led by more than three points.
With 0:49 left in the game, Lizz Wilson penetrated the paint and got the bucket to fall to tie the game at 78. On the ensuing possession, Ford was unable to give the Gators the late lead and Heidi Goeller, who finished in a tie for the team lead in points with 18, was forced to foul with only 0:24 left after Wilson pulled down the defensive board. Going to the line with the game in balance was junior Rachael Jones. Going into the final two free throws, the Pioneers were 17-23. Jones drew iron on her first shot, but sank the second to give the Pioneers a one-point lead. With the shot clock not a factor under 0:30, the Gators could play for the final shot and look to win the game with any made shot.
The Gators looked to senior standout Jill Gregory to take the final shot. With 0:02 left, Gregory, who tied Goeller for the team lead in points with 18, missed her jumper, but Restich was under the hoop to collect her team-leading seventh and most important board along the far baseline and then immediately put up the eventual game-winning shot with only 0:1.6 left in the game. Pressed by the lack of time, the Pioneers were unable to go the length of the court and did not even get off a final shot.
Guiler, who dominated much of the game fouled out with 2:55 left and took with her a game-high 32-point effort. She also collected a double-double as she ended with 11 rebounds, tied for the team lead. Teammate Mallory Hoff also turned a double-double effort with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Allegheny turned its 37% shooting effort in the first half to an improved 44% in the second half, highlighted by 50% shooting from downtown.
The win for the Gators puts them in the championship game of the Allegheny Invitational. They will take on Waynesburg University after the Yellow Jackets topped Alfred University in the nightcap 52-48. The loss for the Pioneers sets up a consolation game matchup with Alfred tomorrow afternoon starting at 1 pm. Tip-off for the Allegheny Invitational Championships is scheduled for 3 pm. Both the consolation and championship games can be followed live through the Live Stats link: http://www.sidearmstats.com/allegheny/wbball/index.htm