Cougars Defeat Devils in Overtime

Mackenzie Lynch scored 44 points as Caldwell College handed the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia women's basketball team their second consecutive home loss, 82-72 in overtime this afternoon at the Bobby Morgan Arena in Philadelphia.

The loss drops the Devils to 3-4 overall and 1-4 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference games. Caldwell improves to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in league games.

Lynch connected on 16 of 22 shots from the field and was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line to account for her 44 points. She also recorded a double-double, pulling down 22 rebounds. Melissa Freeman and Shannon Coyle added 16 and 11 points respectively. Freeman also recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds.

Shelby Rance (Sr., Central Columbia HS/Bloomsburg, Pa.) led the Devils with 24 points on 8-for-20 shooting from the field (4-7 3FG) and 4-5 from the charity stripe. Allison Weiss (So., Springfield HS/Springfield, Pa.) had 15 points and 13 rebounds and Rashanna Edwards (Sr., West Windsor-Plainsboro HS/Cherry Hill, Pa.) added 12 points while dishing out a game high five assists.

The Cougars held a seven point lead late in the second half, 64-57 before the devils rallied to tie the game and send in into overtime. Two free throws by Mary Beth Christian (Jr., Villa Joseph Marie/Warrington, Pa.) with 3:00 left on the clock made the score 64-59. After a Cougar turnover, Rance added a three-point field goal to pull the Devils within two 64-62. Two free throws by Lynch were followed by a layup by Edwards and a short jumper by Autumn Tully (So., Union-Endicott HS/Endicott, N.Y.) and the game was tied at 66-all with 1:15 left. Freeman nailed a jumper with 53 seconds left and Edwards followed with a layup with 32.4 seconds to even things again at 68-all. The Devils forced a shot clock violation but turned the ball over with 1.4 seconds left, giving the Cougars a final chance. Caldwell could not score and the game headed to overtime.

The Cougars pounced on the Devils right from the opening tap in overtime, scoring the first seven points to take a 75-68 lead with 3:13 left and never looked back as they outscored USP 14-4 in the extra stanza to come away with the 82-72 win. Rance accounted for all four of the Devils' points in the overtime. (1 FG, 2 FT).

Despite shooting just 29.7% from the field in the first half (11-37) the Devils held a 28-26 lead at the break. The Cougars shot 11 for 34 in the period (32.4%). For the game, USP made 26 of 70 shots (1-7 OT) from the field (37.1%) and 16 of 18 from the free throw line (88.9%). Caldwell made 30 of 71 shots (5-7 OT) from the field (42.3%) and 21 of 23 from the free throw line (91.3%). The Cougars also outrebounded the Devils 48-38 to offset their 20 turnovers. The Devils committed 19 turnovers in the loss.

USP will play their next game on the road against Bloomfield College on December 19, 2006. Tip off is slated for 6 p.m.