Brooklyn, NY --- Senior guard/forward Vanessa D'Ambrosi scored nine of Brooklyn College's 13 points in overtime to help lead the #1 seeded Bulldogs to their first ever Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Women's Basketball Championship on Sunday evening at the West Quad Center in a 63-58 victory over the #2 seed Rutgers-Newark.

D'Ambrosi finished the night with a game-high 20 points, to go with 12 rebounds to record a double-double. For her efforts, the fifth year senior would be named Tournament MVP.

"Words can't describe how it feels to win this championship and make Brooklyn College history," said D'Ambrosi.  "I am honored to be named MVP.  We have so many great players on this team and any could've been named MVP."

The Bulldogs (22-7) were making their third straight ECAC Metro final appearance, coming away with the runner-up trophy in both 2013 and 2014.

"Tonight was a great way to end our season and to send off this tremendous senior class," said Brooklyn Head Coach Alex Lang.  "We have been very close to winning this Tournament and an ECAC Championship the last couple of years, and am proud of our team for this outstanding accomplishment. This feat hadn't been accomplished in our program's history, and is something that will go down in the record books."

BC freshman Chrissy Heyer began the game by putting Brooklyn up 3-0 after connecting on a three-pointer, however the Scarlet Raiders would go on an 18-6 run to capture an 18-9 lead, and seemed to have control of the contest early.

After a Nicole Francomano free throw, D'Ambrosi would get a fast break layup and then hit a three to close the deficit to 18-15. 

Rutgers would open their lead to back to six, before a 6-0 Brooklyn run, capped by a Heyer basket and consequent foul shot, would tie the game at 25.

The Scarlet Raiders would end the half on a 5-0 run of their own, getting baskets from Jade Howard and Sharee Gordon, in addition to a Howard free throw, and head to the locker room with a 30-25 lead. 

To begin the second half, the teams would trade three-pointers on the first two possessions before Rutgers would balloon their lead to nine on back to back buckets from Jasmine Lombard.  

The Bulldogs would answer as consecutive Megan Campbell baskets, a D'Ambrosi three, and aNacirema Mann bucket would constitute a 9-0 run and tie the game at 37.

Over the next eight minutes the game would see four lead changes and three ties, as no team led by more than three points in that span, until a Campbell jumper put Brooklyn up five, 48-43, with 5:39 remaining. 

Rutgers' Arianna Williams would miss a three to cut the gap, but after a Heyer missed three, Williams would get another look and convert from beyond the arc to make it a 48-46 game.  

Brooklyn's Francomano and Asia Foster would each make one of two from the line on BC's next two possessions to push the lead to four, however a Shala Glenn free throw would cut the lead back to 50-47, making it a one possession game.  

The Bulldogs would turn the ball over on their next possession, and the Raiders would get it back with under a minute.  After a missed shot by Gordon, Howard would gather the offensive board and find Williams, who would hit from downtown once more to tie the game.  

Brooklyn, not having any timeouts, looked somewhat confused on the offensive end during their last possession, however were able to get the ball to D'Ambrosi, who put up a three as time expired that went in and out of the rim, forcing overtime.

In the overtime, D'Ambrosi hit a three on Brooklyn's first possession, and then after Rutgers answered with a basket, she followed with another three to give the hosts a 56-52 advantage.

Howard responded with another score to cut the lead to two, however Brookyn's Man followed with a big hoop to make it 58-54.  

With 53 seconds seconds to go, Lombard scored a big basket to cut the lead back down to two.

After a time out, Brooklyn was able to move the ball and find D'Ambrosi once again in the corner for her biggest three of the game, and third of the overtime period, to give Brooklyn the commanding 61-56 lead.

D'Ambrosi knocked down six threes on the evening.

Seniors Francomano (12 points and nine assists) and Campbell (11 points and seven rebounds) were also big in the win. 
Classmates Mann (nine points and five boards) and Foster (13 boards) were huge as well.

Rutgers-Newark (15-14) was led by Jade Howard's team-high 19 points, to go with a game-high 14 rebounds for the double-double. Jasmine Lombard added 14 points, while Arianna Williams chipped in with 12 points.

The Bulldogs completed their seventh consecutive season with 17 wins or more and their fourth consecutive year of 20-plus wins. During this four-year stretch, the team amassed a 90-30 record.