IMMACULATA, Pa. – The Cabrini women's basketball team took sole possession of first place in the Colonial States Athletic Conference for the first time this season with tonight's come-from behind 69-58 win at Immaculata University. The victory improved the Cavaliers to 18-4 overall and 12-1 in the CSAC, one game ahead of the Mighty Macs and 1.5 games ahead of Neumman with three games to play.
Trailing by a game high 11 points just 50 seconds into the second half, the Blue and White went on a 17-2 run over the next seven minutes to build a 39-35 lead with 12 minutes to play. Senior Annie Rivituso and junior Amber Keys led the spurt, combining for 11 points during the span.
With 8:30 to play and Cabrini hanging on to a 41-40, senior Brittany Sandone took over. The senior knocked down three pointers on the next four consecutive possessions, leading the Cavaliers on a personal 12-2 run, extending the lead to 53-42 with 4:20 on the clock.
Cabrini struggled through the first 20 minutes of action, shooting just 8-35 from the field and 3-9 from the free throw line. Immaculata took full advantage, building a 31-22 halftime lead after shooting 45% from the floor, including 4-8 from three point range.
The Cavaliers turned everything around after the break, connecting on over 42% from the field and 5-11 from beyond the three point arc. Cabrini held the Mighty Macs to just 7-26 in the second half and 0-5 from deep.
Sandone scored a game high 18 points, while Rivituso finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Junior Amber Keys posted 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench, while fellow junior Megan Decker matched a career high with 13 rebounds and recorded a career best eight steals.
Cabrini also recorded 19 assists on its 22 field goals, including five each from Decker and sophomore Dana Peterson.
Adriana Sciascia led the Mighty Macs (16-6, 11-2 CSAC) with 19 points, while Brittany Merkle grabbed 17 of the team's 43 rebounds.
The Blue and White will face another tough test on Saturday, when Neumann (14-8, 11-3 CSAC) visits Nerney Field House. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.