JOHNSON, VT
The UMPI Women's team has fought valiantly to the end of every game they've played this season no matter what the score reflects. Recently, that score has been within reach going down into the final minutes with the Owls first conference victory looming on the other side. Unfortunately, on Sunday, they came up agonizingly short as a late three from the Badgers in the final minute ended up being the difference.
How it Happened:
UMPI came out with one of their best quarters of the whole season, putting up 26 points in the frame as Lindsay Hamilton started to pop off again, putting up 11 points in the first quarter while going 5-6 shooting. The Owls went 10-14 as a team from the field and had three three-pointers drop, Nevaeh Bello going 2-2. They stalled a little bit in the second quarter, getting outscored 20-13 as the Badgers took a 41-39 lead at halftime. UMPI had to be happy with where their offense was at however, as they trailed by just two points with two quarters to go.
In the third quarter, the game became a defensive struggle. The Badgers outscored UMPI 11-9 in the third to take a four-point lead going into the final frame. But UMPI dug deep, opening up on a 7-2 run to take a 55-54 lead — their first lead of the second half. UMPI was able to grab a two possession lead, going up 62-56 as Aleyah Matheson hit shot after shot. With just under four minutes left, Johnson needed near perfect shooting to get back into it and retake control. That's of course, exactly what they got.
A three to cut the game to three, followed by three straight jumpers made it 65-62 Badgers with 1:38 to go. Still with a lot of game left, UMPI had a fighting chance to win. Aleyah Matheson drew a foul and sunk both free throws to come back within one point. Johnson got the ball back up one, the Owls got a stop but turned it over with just under fifty seconds left. The only thing that would kill their hopes of winning with under a minute left was a three-pointer that would make it a two-possession game. As if UMPI's misfortune couldn't get any worse, that's of course, exactly what Johnson got. A corner-three with 35 seconds left made it 68-64. The Owls responded with a quick two to keep their hopes alive. They fouled quickly and sent Johnson to the line. The Badgers missed both of their free throws which would have given UMPI a golden chance to get back in it, but the misfortune reared its ugly head yet again, as the miss from Johnson bounced way out of the paint and directly into the waiting arms of the Badger's Kriste Zator who had 29 points in the game at that point. The Owls had to foul again and this time Zator made it hurt, sinking both free throws with 14 seconds left, and iced the game.
The Badgers won 70-66, after a nearly perfect final two minutes from the field shooting.
Top Performers:
Aleyah Matheson went off with 24 points and seven rebounds. She had three three-pointers and shot a perfect 5-5 at the line. Lindsay Hamilton had another stellar day with 21 points, 11 of them coming in the first quarter. She went 9-17 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. Nevaeh Bello was in double figures with 11, including three three-pointers and 4-10 shooting overall.
Next Up:
The Owls will try to shake off another late-game heartbreaker but will get a much needed home stand. They host Lesley University on Friday night and Thomas College on Saturday afternoon.
