Box Score
Brooklyn, NY---The Brooklyn College Women's Basketball Team (0-1) dropped their home opener in front of a capacity crowd at the West Quad, giving up a 17-point halftime lead, as NYU-Poly (1-0) pulled of the comeback in an thrilling finish.
The Bulldogs had the last possession as they were down one, 66-65 with under 20 seconds remaining. Senior guard Ashley Allen (William C. Bryant / Sunnyside, NY) drove the lane and tried to find Kelly Jamison (Jim Thorpe / Jim Thorpe, NY) under the basket, but the ball was deflected out of bounds.
With 1.4 seconds remaining, Brooklyn inbounded the ball undr their basket and got the ball inside to junior center Justine O'Callahan (Floral Park / Floral Park, NY) got the ball, but her shot was blocked by Poly's Kristin Leitheuser (Arlington / Millbrook, NY).
BC was outstanding in the first half of play, after falling behind 11-8, the Bulldogs went on a 31-11 run to end the half, capped off by a three-pointer by freshman Allison Donovan (Townsend Harris / Middle Village, NY).
The Fighting Blue Jays chipped away in the second half, cutting the lead all the way to 10 with 7:13 to play. Brooklyn's Ariel Smith (Wallkill / Newburgh, NY) picked up two fouls in the next 25 seconds, fouling out of the game in the process. With Smith out, Poly scored the games next 6 points to cut the lead to one, 58-57.
Brookly's Jamison knocked down a jumper to boost the lead back to three, and then the two teams traded baskets, as Allen knocked down a big runner in the lane. Poly answered with a jumper and then a free throw to tie the game at 62.
BC junior guard Ryan Reeder (Bronx Leadership / Bronx, NY) came up with a big driving runner and was fouled on the play as well. Reeder made the free throw to extend the lead to three, 65-62.
After a missed jumper, a Poly offensive rebound led to a touch foul and free throws for the Blue Jays. Megan Bosi (Bergen County / New Milford, NY) connected on both shots, cutting the BC lead to one, 65-64.
Brooklyn got the ball back in the hands of Reeder, who drove again and got right back to the foul line. This time she would be unsuccessful, missing on both attempts and opening the door for Poly to take the lead. They did just that as they got the ball to Shelby Bruns (Elko / Elko, NV), who made a nice move in the lane to give her team the 66-65 lead and the eventual victory.
Smith led Brooklyn with 16 points and 6 steals while Poly was led by Leitheuser's 17 points.
O'Callahan and Elisha Raiford (William C. Bryant / Jamaica, NY), who played big off the BC bench, each finished with double-doubles. O'Callahan notched 12 points and 11 boards while Raiford finished with 12 points and 10 boards. O'Callahan also had a team-high 4 assists.
Brooklyn will travel to Lebanon Valley College on Saturday where they will take part in LVC's tip-off tournament. Brooklyn will face LVC in the first round on Saturday at 6 pm. The Dutchmen are currently ranked #20 in the D3Hoops preseason poll.
