BOSTON, Mass. - The Emmanuel College Women's Basketball Team was defeated by Heidelberg University, 70-69, in the opening round of the 28th Annual Emmanuel College Invitational Tournament. The game played in Emmanuel's Jean Yawkey Center marked the Saints' home opener and featured a come-from-behind effort by Heidelberg, as Emmanuel starts the 2011-12 season at 0-1 and Heidelberg improves to 1-1 on the young season.

The Saint struck first with a bucket down low by Victoria Johnson (Syracuse, N.Y.) and a fastbreak layup from Breanna Ockimey (Philadelphia, Pa.) to quickly go up 4-0. Heidelberg struggled from the field in the early going, knocking down just two of their first 15 attempts (13.3%). A hoop in the paint by Laura Benvenuto (Wyckoff, N.J.) gave the Saints a five point edge, before Molly Schriber (Sidney, Ohio) drained a three from the left wing for Heidelberg to set the score at 11-9 at the ten-minute mark.

Three consecutive hoops in the paint from freshman forward Jen Bujnowski (Salem, N.H.) were part of a 17-0 Emmanuel run that spanned the next seven minutes and the Saints led 29-9 with 3:20 left in the half. Sophomore guard Emily Giel (Burton, Ohio) ended the Heidleberg drought and brought the visitors into double-figures with the three-ball from the right wing.

Despite committing 20 turnovers in the first half, the Saints carried a 33-17 lead into the break at halftime. Emmanuel out-rebounded Heidelberg, 36-16. Seven players scored hoops for the Saints in the first half, led by Johnson, Bujnowski and Fiona O'Dwyer (Stamford, Conn.), who tallied 6 points apiece. Kathleen Phillips (Sandusky, Ohio) led the Heidelberg with 4 first half point. The Saints pressure defense held the visitors to 21.2% (7-33) shooting from the floor in the opening frame.

Out of the break, Heidelberg went on a quick spurt powered by 12 points from Phillips in the opening six minutes of action and the visitors trailed 43-34. A fastbreak layup by Meghan Kirwan (Melrose, Mass.) and a trey from Ockimey gave Emmanuel its double figure lead back at 48-37 with 11:26 to play.

The spread wouldn't last long as Jordan Ickes (Wooster, Ohio) drove the lane and was fouled, converting the three-point play for Heidelberg. The Berg cut the deficit to five points, when Phillips hit a pull up jumper in the lane and forced an Emmanuel timeout with the score at 51-46 and 9:06 remaining in the contest. Out of the timeout, sophomore forward Kyra Dorney (Fairborn, Ohio) put one in on the break and Heidelberg trailed by three.

A pair of free throws by Megan Miller (Tiffin, Ohio) kept it a one possession game with Heidelberg trailing 55-52 and 7:20 showing on the clock. The two teams traded baskets through the five minute mark, before a free throw by Kirwan put EC up 60-54. On the Saints' next possession, Ockimey buried her second trey of the game and Emmanuel led 63-56.

Consecutive buckets in the paint by O'Dwyer stretched the Saints' lead to 67-61 with three minutes left. Another and-one by Ickes made it a one point game with the Saints up 67-66 and a minute and a half to go. Miller then buried a baseline three-ball with 30 second left to give Heidelberg their first lead of the game (69-67).

Johnson was fouled and knocked down two freebies for Emmanuel to tie the contest at 69-all and the Saints signaled for a full timeout with 21.4 ticks left on the clock. The Emmanuel defense sent Giel to the line on Heidelberg's next possession and the sophomore guard hit the back end of the two shot bonus to seal the deal for the visitors. Ockimey's last second shot went wide and the Heidelberg came away with the come from behind 70-69 win.

Phillips led Heidelberg with 18 points on 8 for 19 shooting. Miller added 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Ickes and Giel notched 10 points apiece in the win. Emmanuel was led by O'dwyer's 18 points and 9 rebounds. Johnson notched a double-double of 14 points and 10 boards, while Kirwan hit for 11 points and dished out 6 assists. Ockimey chipped in with 10 points in the effort for the Saints.

Heidelberg will now face William Paterson University on Sunday (11/20) at 3:00 PM in the tournament championship game. William Paterson defeated Moravian College, 71-65, in the opening game of the day. Emmanuel will face Moravian in the tournament consolation game at 1:00 PM.