CLEVELAND – Despite a season-high 12 points from senior point guard Amanda Germer (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley), the Case Western Reserve University women's basketball team fell on a last-second bucket to No. 9/8 nationally ranked New York University, 60-59, in Friday night University Athletic Association action at Horsburgh Gymnasium.
The Spartans (6-7, 0-2 UAA) lose their second game in a row as a result of a basket in the final seconds. The Violets (13-0, 2-0 UAA), ranked ninth in the USA TODAY Top 25 and eighth by D3Hoops.com, remain unbeaten with their third win in a row against CWRU.
With 28 seconds remaining, senior guard Brooke Orcutt (Morrison, Colo./Dakota Ridge) went to the foul line and connected for two free throws to put the Spartans on top, 59-58. Then with just five seconds on the clock, NYU's Amy Harioka drove for a layup that ultimately lifted the visitors to victory.
Germer scored all 12 of her points via the three-point ball. She was joined in double-figures by Orcutt with 11 and junior post Laura Mummey (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) with 10.
The Violets were led by Kaitlyn Read with game highs of 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Emily Rowe added 11 points and four boards.
NYU opened the game on top and built a 15-7 lead when Melissa Peng hit a three-pointer at the 13:21 mark. CWRU then pieced together a quick 8-0 run to tie the score as freshman guard Kara Hageman (Pennington, N.J./Hopewell Valley Central) nailed a triple at 10:15. Five minutes of slow-scoring action followed before the Spartans got hot to finish the half on a 12-5 run. Overall, CWRU limited NYU to five points over the final 13:21 of the period.
In the second, NYU clamped down on defense and used a 16-4 run to move on top, 50-40, as Maya Wasowicz hit layup with 8:13 left to play. Refusing to go away, the Spartans scored 11 of the next 13 and pulled to within 52-51 with a Germer three at 4:37. The two sides then traded blows for the next three minutes, and the Spartans got as close as one three times before Orcutt's free throws. After NYU's go-ahead basket, the Spartans had one last opportunity, but a shot fell just short as the final buzzer sounded.
The Spartans remain at home to host Brandeis University (Mass.) this Sunday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m.