Newbury Holds Off Late Becker Rally

In a game that saw a combined nine players reach double figures, the Newbury College women's basketball team defeated conference foe Becker College, 76-74 in overtime Tuesday evening. Senior Katelyn Mark (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) lead the Nighthawks with a team-high 20 points.

The Nighthawks jumped out to the early lead behind Mark, who netted 10 of her 20 points in the first to take a seven point lead into the locker room. Junior Heidi Miller (Sanbornton, NH/Winnisquam) brought the Hawks back draining 14 of her game-high 24 points in the second as they started the second half with a 14-8 run to climb within one point of Newbury's lead.

While the first half belonged to Newbury, the second half belonged to Becker as they outscored the Nighthawks, 37-30 in the half. With just over a minute to play in the contest and Newbury up by one, 65-64, Miller hit a lay-up and converted the free-throw on the three-point play to give the Hawks the two point advantage. But the Nighthawks were not going to be denied as freshman Jasmine Bishop (Waterville, ME/Waterville Senior) hit a lay-up of her own to send the game into overtime.

Fittingly, the last Newbury basket by Mark was the difference in the contest as the Nighthawks held on for the two point win. Freshman Catherine O'Connell (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) recorded her fifth double-double of the season, tallying 13 points and 16 rebounds while fellow freshman Jalisa Fields (Bronx, NY/St. Michael Academy) followed up with 15 points and eight boards.

In addition to her 24 points, Miller added 15 rebounds for a double-double of her own while teammate freshman Katelyn Cavanaugh (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) followed up with 16 points. 

With the win the Nighthawks improve to 1-1 in the conference and 2-4 overall while the Hawks fall to 1-9. Newbury will  return to the hard-court this Thursday when they host the Mountaineers of Southern Vermont College at 7:00pm.

-  Game story by Lindsay Graham - Staff Assistant

-  Game photo provided by Samantha Yanofsky