BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Jordyn Franzen stole the pass following the opponent's defensive rebound and put in the go-ahead basket with 0.8 seconds remaining to give the University of New England a 54-52 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's basketball triumph over Suffolk University on Wednesday evening (Dec. 1) at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.
The Nor'easters, who trailed by as many as 13 in the game, were down 47-42 with 5:19 left. Aside from hoops by Franzen (5:02) and Abby Cavallaro (3:25), UNE closed the gap, and briefly moved in front, going 6-of-8 at the free throw line down the stretch. Meanwhile, the Rams could only muster 1-of-7 accuracy on field goal tries, and had three turnovers.
A pair at the charity stripe by Franzen with 0:42 on the clock gave the hosts their first lead of the night (52-20). However, just 10 ticks later, Suffolk's Gabriella DeComo sank a couple freebies to knot the score. UNE used nearly a full shot clock to get a runner by Cavallaro that rolled off the rim, but, while the Rams came down with the ball, Franzen stepped in front of the immediate pass and notched the deciding layup. [Watch]
Suffolk turned in an 11-0 run to take control in the 1st quarter (16-4), and posted 12 of the final 14 in the 2nd to gain a 36-23 advantage at the midway mark. The Rams were shooting 47 percent (14-for-30) from the floor over the initial 20 minutes, as opposed to the 26 percent (10-for-38) by the Nor'easters.
In the second half, UNE upped the defensive pressure and limited the visitors to just 5-of-27 from the field (18.5%). The Nor'easters, who only lost four possessions following the intermission (that yielded 0 points for the Rams), also converted 11 Suffolk turnovers into 11 points. UNE made up a lot of ground in the first six minutes of the 3rd period, as six players contributed to a 15-3 run (39-38). The difference was 42-39 entering the 4th.
Franzen recorded her second double-double of the year to pace the Nor'easters (4-5, 2-0 CCC), totaling 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. Cavallaro added 11 points and six boards, and Kaylee Beyor tacked on nine points behind 4-of-7 shooting. The hosts won despite connecting on 28 percent (19-for-68) of their attempts, and leading for a mere 11 seconds.
For Suffolk (5-2, 0-1 CCC), Jenni-Rose DiCecco went for game highs of 19 points and four steals. Natalie Fraioli chipped in with 12 points. Allie Lopes and Emily Welling each secured 10 caroms, powering the Rams' 47-42 edge on the glass.
The contest was the first-ever meeting between the sides, and Suffolk's first as a member of the CCC.