Nighthawks Drop Heart Breaker to Fighting Scots

The Gordon College women's basketball team defeated the Nighthawks of Newbury College 70-68 in a battle to the finish tonight in Brookline, MA.  The Fighting Scots Heather DeKleine (Wayland, MI/Unity Christian) knocked down two free throws with just 14 seconds left in the game to seal the win for Gordon.      

Gordon jumped out to an early lead in the first half, shooting an amazing 76% from the floor, led by senior center Rebecca Carroll (Pleasant Valley, NY/F.D. Roosevelt).  Carroll scored 13 of her 21 points in the first half, while teammate Emily Armstrong (Swansea, MA/Joseph Case) put down 9 of her 12.  The Fighting Scots took a comfortable 15 point advantage into the locker room at the half. 

The second half was a different story, as the Nighthawks came out from the break ready to fight.  Newbury senior captain Katelyn Mark (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) led the charge for the Nighthawks scoring 12 of her 17 points after intermission.  The Nighthawks' leading scorer Ashley Monteiro (Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge and Latin) also stepped up, scoring all 9 of her points from behind the arc in the second half.  Newbury completed the comeback with just 24 seconds left in the game, tied at 68, before DeKleine nailed her free throws and the Nighthawks could not come up with the winning bucket in the final seconds. 

Despite the loss first year center and NECC Rookie of the Week Catherine O'Connell (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) continued to dominate for the Nighthawks scoring 17 points and ripping down 19 rebounds.  O'Connell has now put up a double-double in three out of her first four games in a Newbury uniform. 

The Nighthawks will open up conference play following winter break on January 9^th, 2010 when they will take on Elms College; tipoff is set of 12pm.