PITTSBURGH, PA – Sophomore guard Evy Iacono (Cincinnati, OH/Mount Notre Dame) scored a game-high 20 points and senior forward Caitlin Henry (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) hit the game-winning free throw with two seconds remaining as the Case Western Reserve University women's basketball team defeated Muskingum University, 64-63, on day one (Friday, November 19) of the 2010 Radisson Classic hosted by Carnegie Mellon University (PA).
With their win, the Spartans improve to 2-0 and will play Earlham College (IN) tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. With its loss, Muskingum falls to 0-2.
Iacono's 20 points were accompanied by seven rebounds and a game-high six assists. Junior forward Erin Hollinger (Chardon, OH/Chardon) was the other Spartan to score in double-figures with 10 points.
Muskingum led 12-7 when Yasmyn Inkeep connected on a pair of free throws at the 14:05 mark. The Spartans rallied with a 9-2 run and moved ahead 16-14 when Iacono hit two free throws at 11:53. The Muskies then outscored Case 7-3 to go back ahead 21-19 with 10:20 left in the half. Undaunted, the Spartans answered with a 13-0 run culminating in a pair of Hollinger free throws that made the score 32-21 with 5:16 remaining before the break. However, Muskingum was able to chip away at the Spartan lead and the game went into intermission with Case ahead by five, at 39-34.
The Spartans opened the second half fast with a 14-5 run ending in an Iacono three-pointer that made the score 53-39 with 14:34 left to play. Muskingum then rallied with a 10-2 run of their own to get within six, at 55-49, with 10:40 remaining. The Spartans briefly regained control and re-built their lead to 59-49 when Hollinger scored a layup at 8:15.
The Muskies then outscored Case 14-4 over the next eight minutes and tied the score at 63 apiece when Suzanne Nichols made a pair of free throws with 00:17 remaining. The Spartans took the next possession down the court and Henry was able to draw a foul with just two ticks left on the clock. The senior missed her first charity shot, but connected on the second to give the Spartans the 64-63 win.
Following tomorrow's game with Earlham, the Spartans are back home on Tuesday, November 23 versus cross-town rival Baldwin-Wallace College at 7:00 p.m. at Horsburgh Gymnasium.