Wesley Falls in Thriller at Rowan
GLASSBORO, N.J. - A pair of free throws with 2.2 seconds left by Gina Catanzariti lifted Rowan to a 69-68 win over Wesley College in non-conference action.
Just 3.3 seconds earlier, Wesley (1-3) had taken a 68-67 lead on a pair of free throws by Michele Mules (York, Pa./Susquehannock).
Angie Owens (Seaford, Del./Seaford) continued her strong play to start the year, blocking six shots to go along with 14 points and nine rebounds. Colleen Thomas sank 8-of-15 field goals, including five threes, on her way to 21 points.
The first half started as a see-saw battle with 10 ties and three lead changes. But after a lay up by Mules tied the score at 20-20 with 4:25 left in the half, Jessica Nimbley started a 10-0 run that propelled the Profs (2-2) to a 30-20 lead with 1:19 left. Threes by Thomas and Stephanie Bailey (Kensington, Md./Walter Johnson) cut the lead to 30-26 at the half.
Rowan maintained its lead early in the second half before a three and a lay up by Thomas put the Wolverines up 45-43 with 10:35 to go.
Wesley caught fire from beyond the arc later in the half, using threes by Mules, Allison Beddia (New Castle, Del./Delcastle) and two triples from Thomas to fuel a 12-2 lead that built a 59-49 advantage at the 6:34 mark.
Rowan slowly whittled the lead down until free throws by Brynn DeGroff put the Profs up 65-64 with 1:30 to go. Two more foul shots by Nimbley stretched the lead to three with 55 seconds on the clock.
The Wolverines answered back with a lay up by Shavonda Cephas (Milford, Del./Milford ) and forced a turnover with 25 ticks left in the game. A three by Mules was off the mark, but Thomas chased down the board to set the stage for the dramatic finish.
Nimbley had a big effort for Rowan, scoring 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while hitting all 11 of her free throws. Catanzariti added 11 points, while Thena Gaines chipped in with 10.
Cory Boyd (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant) had seven assists for Wesley.
Wesley had a cold shooting night, connecting on just 9-of-31 shots in the first half and finished the game at just 35 percent.
The Wolverines stayed in the game, however, by hitting 10 threes in the contest, while Rowan attempted just two.
Wesley stays on the road with another trip to New Jersey with a contest at Richard Stockton on December 1 at 8:00 PM.
