ROCHESTER, NY – With .08 seconds remaining off an inbounds play on the sideline, sophomore Sarina McDowell got behind the defense on a backscreen off a lob from Katie MacLachlan to convert a layup as time expired to lift Nazareth 69-67 over Hartford on Monday in the championship game of the Sandy DeWolf McCormack Memorial Holiday Tournament. Nazareth's Madalyn Kelly was named the tournament MVP after scoring a game-high 17 points on 7-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-6 from 3-point range.

Nazareth moves to 6-2 overall, while Hartford falls to 4-6.
 
Sandy DeWolf McCormack, for which the tournament is being played, was a beloved Nazareth hoops player who succumbed to cancer in 2020 after displaying incredible courage throughout her battle. She was as a standout player during her time at Nazareth, ultimately earning her a well-deserved spot in the Nazareth Hall of Fame in 1999. Sandy still holds a place in the top 10 across various statistical categories, including games played, rebounds, field goals made, free throws made, and blocks.
 
Kiara Anglin was also named to the all-tournament team after finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals.
 
The fourth quarter proved to be high-scoring as Hartford scored 30-points to Nazareth's 25. Heading into the final frame Nazareth held a 44-37 lead after Kelly drilled a 3-pointer to end the quarter.
 
Hartford started the fourth strong and cut the lead to 52-49, before McDowell had a key and-1 to push Nazareth's lead to 55-49 with 6:27 remaining.
 
The game eventually became tied at 67 with :39 seconds to play.
 
Two turnovers, a missed Golden Flyers layup and then another Hawks turnover with .08 remaining gave Nazareth a sideline inbound off the timeout to set up the winning bucket from McDowell on a perfectly-executed play off the timeout. McDowell finished with 28 points over the two-game span. 
 
Leah Fusilli had six first quarter points and Nazareth had a 15-14 lead. She finished with 10 points and three boards. 
 
It was a close half throughout, however Nazareth closed the final 3:34 on an 8-2 run to take a 32-25 lead into the break.
 
Madilann Johnson gave the Golden Flyers their first double-digit lead of the day with a 3-pointer at 3:17 of the third quarter. 
 
Molly Benetti finished with nine points and four rebounds.
 
Nazareth returns to action on Thursday, traveling to NYU to take on the top team in the country at 2 p.m.