WASHINGTON, D.C. – Four members of the Manhattanville women's basketball team scored in double figures as the Valiants advanced to the championship round of the 2011 Catholic University of America/Fairfield Inn Holiday Tournament after a tight 59-56 victory over Marymount University on Saturday evening at Dufour Gym.
Leading the Valiants in scoring was senior Simona Gordon (Cambridge, Mass.) with 15 points along with five rebounds and two assists. Junior guard Courtney Turner (Staten Island, N.Y.) was probably the best player on the court in the game, as she finished with 14 points, six rebounds, seven steals and four assists.
Rounding out the Valiants offensive threat, sophomore Taylor Wilson (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) had 12 points on two long-distance baskets and a perfect 6-of-6 effort from the line. Senior point guard Carey Hickey (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y./Dobbs Ferry) scored all of her 11 points off the bench in 19 minutes of play. The Valiants finished the game with a 42-34 advantage in rebounds, with freshman Beranda Felder (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood) leading the team with eight boards.
For the Saints, two players finished in double figures in points: Sam Spencer led her team with 18 points on 5-of-7 from the outside and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe, while Amanda Billy finished with 14 points on 6-of-15 from the field. Maame Amponsah finished with a game-high 17 rebounds (13 defensive).
Despite shooting a better percentage from the field and at the line, the Saints fell apart in the final four minutes of the game allowing the Valiants to hold a lead after a long-distance shot by Hickey was made with 4:13 remaining. Marymount finished the contest 1-of-8 from the field after Hickey's three-point basket caused the 12th and final lead change of the contest.
The Valiants controlled play and led for a majority of the half until the first lead change took place with 3:45 remaining on a three-pointer by Spencer. The Valiants held an eight-point lead with 14:31 left in the half as a three-pointer by Wilson gave the designated home team a 13-5 lead. Both squads traded buckets late in the half, allowing Marymount to use a 6-0 run to end the half before a jumper by Turner tied the contest at 28-28 heading into the locker room.
Wilson led the Valiants with 10 points at the half, as the team also outrebounded the Saints by more than a 2-to-1 margin (23-10). Spencer also led the Saints with 10 points as the visiting team used five three-pointers to produce most of their offense. The Valiants scored a fourth of their points from the charity stripe, making 7-of-8.
Marymount took its largest lead of the contest 34-28 after beginning the second stanza with a 6-0 run before a jumper by Turner and a three-pointer by Hickey got the Valiants back in the game. For the remaining 15 minutes of the game, neither team took more than a two-possession lead, keeping the action tight and close. The Valiants finished 4-of-7 from the line in the final 3:34 and played great on the defensive side of the ball with three steals and four forced turnovers. Hickey and Gordon added 11 and 10 points, respectfully in the half, but the Valiants were outrebounded 24-19.
Manhattanville (6-4, 1-1 Freedom) will meet host Catholic tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the championship game, while Marymount (4-5) will take on the College of Staten Island at 6 p.m. tomorrow in the consolation round.