GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Gettysburg College women's basketball team, powered by its three seniors, answered Ursinus College's every call on the way to a 60-54 victory inside Bream Gym on Monday night.
Despite tying the score to start the second period, Gettysburg (19-5, 13-5 CC) was unable to climb past Ursinus in the first half. A three-pointer by Rachel Guy sent the Bears into the locker room holding a 29-25 advantage.
Momentum quickly shifted in the third quarter thanks to a sparkling defensive effort on the part of the hosts. Ursinus went without a field goal for the whole 10 minutes with only a pair of free throws preventing the shutout. Gettysburg out-scored the Bears 13-2 in the frame and led 38-31 lead heading into the final period.
Ursinus was not about to go down without a fight and a 9-0 run capped by a lay-up by Alyssa Polimeni gave the visitors a 42-40 edge with 6:08 to play. A pair of free throws by senior Emily Duggan (Marmora, N.J./Ocean City) tied the game and started a nine-point surge by Gettysburg, which included a three-pointer from the wing by classmate Jessica Porter (Narberth, Pa./Lower Merion).
The Bears cut the deficit to three (52-49) on a lay-up by Jessica Porada with 59 seconds to go. Gettysburg answered by going 8-of-8 from the free throw line down the stretch, including four shots by senior Kim Ryan (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City).
Gettysburg finished 21-of-47 (44.7 percent) from the field and 14-of-16 from the free throw line. The Bullets held a 36-33 edge in rebounds and blocked eight shots.
Freshman Emma Dorshimer (Jenkintown, Pa./Jenkintown) led the way offensively with 18 points. She finished 6-of-12 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from three-point land, and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Porter tacked on nine points, five rebounds, and three blocks, while sophomore Annie Reilly (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood) contributed eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
"We knew it would be a huge momentum game going into the playoffs," said Duggan, who finished with six points, four rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. "We didn't take anything lightly tonight and we just wanted to come out here for the last time on our home court this season and get a win."
Jessica Porada posted 14 points for Ursinus. Polimeni tallied nine points and 10 assists, while Elana Roadcloud grabbed 10 rebounds.
Gettysburg enters the conference playoffs as the third seed. The Bullets will face second seed McDaniel College in the semifinals hosted by top seed Muhlenberg College on Friday. The conference championship game is set for Saturday. Official game times will be announced on Tuesday.