BEVERLY, Mass. – Nine different players in Endicott uniforms scored three or more points on Saturday afternoon, helping the Gulls to defeat the Suffolk Rams 66-60 in overtime. After seeing Suffolk tie the game late, the Gulls needed the extra period to extend their winning streak to three games and move above the .500 mark for the season.
Endicott (4-3) has now beaten Suffolk in each of the past three meetings. The Rams fall to 6-3 on the season, having lost three of their last five contests.
Nicole Heffernan (Londonderry, N.H.) hit a three-pointer off of the tip-off of the overtime period to give the Gulls the lead for the rest of the contest. Heffernan, who was one of three Gulls in double-digits with ten points, also hit two free throws down the stretch to seal the game. The senior guard led the team with eight assists and three steals.
Endicott led by five points with just over three and a half minutes left in the game after a three-pointer by Heffernan. That score line held until less than a minute remained in the game when Suffolk freshman Iliana Quadri (Sudbury, Mass.) sank a three-pointer and then finished a layup to level the game at 56. A late jumper by Jordan Ferland (Charlestown, N.H.) at the buzzer of regulation failed to fall.
In the first half, Jennifer White (Lisbon, N.H.) was on point from behind the three-point line. White provided 13 points, highlighted by a 3-3 performance from behind the arc. Endicott outrebounded the visitors 26-12 in the first half and built an eight point lead, 33-25.
White was held scoreless in the second half, but Endicott got offensive contributions from across their lineup. Samantha Crough (Cohasset, Mass.) led the team in scoring with 14 points and brought down 9 rebounds. Crough also dished out five assists, while junior Jen McBrien (Medfield, Mass.) led the team in rebounding (10), scored five points and pitched in four assists and three steals of her own.
Kayleen Whall (Foxboro, Mass.) came off the bench and added six rebounds and eight points.
Jacqueline Vienneau was a scoring threat for the Rams, pouring in 15 points and hitting three of seven shots from downtown. Each team hit six three-pointers, with two more of Suffolk's coming from senior forward Mary Garon (Auburn, N.H.). Garon had thirteen points and co-led the team with seven rebounds, along with Lindsey Rogers (Gloucester, Mass.).
Meghan Black (Roslindale, Mass.) had a balanced game for the Rams, shooting 5-8 for twelve points, four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal.
The hosts ended up with a 48-37 advantage on the glass, and each team turned the ball over 17 times.
Endicott will play one final contest before winter break when they travel to Emmanuel on Tuesday for a 5:30 tip. The Rams will spend New Years in Key Largo, Florida, opening in their tournament against Cedar Crest at 4:00 pm on the 31st.