WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University made its Thanksgiving a
little sweeter Tuesday night with a 56-54 non-league women's
basketball victory over No. 23 Mary Washington.
Shenandoah (2-1) won for the first time since 1992 and just the
second time in 17 lifetime meetings with Mary Washington (3-1).
UMW, who was ranked 23rd in the USA Today/WBCA poll, had won
five straight in the series, including a 31-point win in
Fredericksburg last season.
Tuesday night was completely different, as SU overcame a 6 for
16 performance from the line and a seven-point second half deficit
to complete the comeback victory.
Senior Alexis
Hargbol, who had a double-double with 10 points and 14
rebounds, hit what proved to be the game-winning bucket when she
had a stickback of a Mandy
Johnston miss with 36 seconds remaining.
Leading 55-54, Hargbol pulled down her final rebound of the
evening on a Kate Carlezon miss and SU immediately called timeout.
Mary Washington then fouled Johnston with four seconds
remaining, and Johnston hit the first of her two free throws to put
the Eagles in position of having to hit a three to win in
regulation.
Fortunately for the Shingleton Gymnasium fans, UMW
was not able to get off a final shot, and the
Hornets had the upset victory.
Hargbol's putback capped a night in which the two teams were
tied four times and traded the lead on 12 occasions.
Four of those lead changes came in the final four minutes,
perhaps none more important than Crystal Williams'
two foul shots at the 1:16 mark.
With the shot clock winding down, Williams' was fouled as she
attempted a three-pointer from 21 feet out.
The foul also disqualified Eagles center Lauren Karnacki (eight
points, nine rebounds) and after Williams' hit her first and third
attempts, Shenandoah had all of the momentum on its side.
Carlezon gave Mary Washington its final lead on the ensuing trip
down the floor, and Hargbol hit the game-winner following
Johnston's missed runner in the lane.
Senior Katherine
Flint led SU with 15 points, Johnston had 14 and Hargbol
the 10 with 14 boards. SU shot 40.7 percent from the floor (22 for
54) including 13 for 26 in the second half and 6 of 15 (40 percent)
from behind the arc.
Jenna McRae paced the Eagles with a game-high 18 points.
Shenandoah is back in action on Sunday at St. Mary's of
Maryland.
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