Marist made late run to tie the game, then win 68-54 in overtime to advance to their ninth-consecutive championship game.
SPRINGFIELD – Marist didn’t take its first lead of the second half until there were just 92 seconds remaining, yet the Red Foxes advanced to their ninth consecutive Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship Game, with a 68-54 overtime victory over the fifth-seeded Niagara Purple Eagles Saturday at the MassMutual Center.
“This one ranks right up there with any of them I’ve won,” Marist coach Brian Giorgis said. “I’m proud of these girls.”
After scoring just one point in the first half, Niagara’s leading scorer, center Lauren Gato, scored 10 points in the first six minutes of the second half, during an 18-5 run that put the Purple Eagles up, 40-27.
Over the next 24 minutes of play, Marist outscored Niagara 41-14. Kelsey Beynnon answered the moment for Marist, recording his first career double-double, with career-highs in points (23) and rebounds (16). She also sunk 11 of her 12 free-throw attempts.
MAAC Player of the Year Corielle Yarde did not make a field goal until she tied the game at 22 with seconds left in the first half. Yarde finished the game with 16 points, eight assists and four rebounds.
“After the first half,” Yarde said, “my mindset was, ‘I couldn’t shoot any worse’.”
Senior Brandy Gang struggled all game, but made two free throws with 31 seconds left to give the Red Foxes (24-7, 18-1) a one-point lead.
On the next Niagara possession, Lauren Gatto grabbed an offensive rebound and got fouled on the way up. She made the second of two free throws and Leanne Ockenden barely missed a three-pointer at the end of regulation.
Niagara scored the first overtime basket, then Marist scored 16 consecutive to close out the game. Marist will face No. 2 Fairfield in their bid for a seventh straight MAAC Championship.