Box Score

JANUARY 4, 2013

KING'S WOMEN'S CAGERS RALLY PAST GWYNEDD MERCY IN 87-83 SHOOTOUT

GWYNEDD VALLEY — TheKing's College women's basketball team overcame a 12-point deficit over the final 7:18 of play as the Lady Monarchs rallied for a 87-83 victory over host Gwynedd-Mercy University Saturday in a non-conference matchup in Gwynedd Valley.

With the win, King's snapped a four-game losing streak while improving to 4-7 on the season. The Griffins, meanwhile, slipped to 4-7.

Both teams shot well in the first half as King's led by as many as six points with 13:08 remaining in the opening stanza after four straight points from Marissa Manning.  Gwynedd Mercy fought back and eventually captured a 21-19 lead after a jumper by Natasha Matthews with 10:07 on the clock. After two KIng's misses, the Griffins scored the next eight points to build a 29-19 advantage after a Nicole Dougherty rebound and outback with 7:55 left in the opening frame.

King's eventually cut the lead to 41-39  after two fouls shots each from Manning and Jennifer Fabian and a driving lay-up by Manning with 1:38 on the clock. After a Griffin bucket by Lauren Smith with 0:58 to go, Manning made one-of-two fouls shots with 0:18 left to bring the Lady Monarchs to within 43-40 at the break.

In the second half Gwynedd Mercy came out on fire, going on a 17-3 run to build a 60-46 advantage just 4:42 into the final period.  King's answered with a 8-0 spurt to cut the lead to 60-54 on a three-pointer by Kasey Seitz with 13:37 to play.The Griffins, though continued to press the action and extended the lead to 12 points on four occasions, the last coming 77-65 on a Dougherty three-pointer with 7:18 left in the contest.

It was there the Lady Monarchs began their comeback. Shae Grim scored five straight points on a driving lay-up and three-pointer to trim the score to 77-70 with 5:35 to play. Tara Zdancewicz then made a pair of foul shots before Jennifer Fabian drilled a three-pointer to cap a 10-0 run and bring the Lady Monarchs within 77-75 with 4:11 to go.

After Dougherty made one-of-two foul shots for the Griffins, Seitz buried another three-pointer to tie the score at 78-78 with 3:01 on the clock. After a Gwynedd miss, King's then used a driving lay-up from Grim and two fee throws by Jessica McHugh to give King's a 82-78 lead with 1:33 left.  The Griffins looked to respond when Smith made two foul shots to cut the King's lead to 82-80 at the 0:49 mark. McHugh was then fouled with 0:36 left and made one-of-two attempts to give the Lady Monarchs a 83-80 advantage.  After the Griffins missed two straight shots, King's sealed the game at the foul line as Grim and Seitz converted two free throws apiece to clinch the victory.

After training 77-65, King's outscored the Griffins 22-5 over the final 7:18 of the game to pull out the victory.  Manning led King's with 20 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Fabian followed with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists while Grim also added 18 points  with five rebounds and three assists. Seitz contributed 12 points, six assists, and five rebounds while McHugh chipped in with seven points and 10 rebounds.

Gwynedd was paced by Jordan Dominic with 17 points while Natasha Matthews followed with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Dougherty and Smith chipped in with 11 points each.

The Lady Monarchs return home Monday with a 7:00 p.m. matchup against Merywood in Scandlon Gymnasium.