WENHAM, Mass.—Meghan Foley's (Malden, Mass.) gutsy layup with six seconds left in regulation helped Gordon avoid a complete comeback by visiting Thomas College, 68-66. The Fighting Scots led by 20 points entering the final period, but the Terriers clawed all the way back to tie the game in the waning seconds before Foley put home the game-winner to send Gordon into the New Year on a high note.
Gordon improves to 4-6 this season and ended a two-game skid in the process. Thomas falls to the same record entering 2017.
Point swings were drastic from beginning to end, as Gordon raced out to a 10-point lead before its opponent could blink an eye. Despite missing sophomore Olivia Stark (Arvada, Colo.), Gordon still shot extremely well from behind the arch in the early going, including a pair by Brooke Dyson (Houston, Texas). Dyson gave the Scots a jolt to the arm on offense, pairing with Foley to combine for 16 points in the first quarter where Gordon held a 22-14 at its conclusion.
Gordon extended its advantage to 11 points in the second quarter, but Thomas locked down on defense in the period. While the Scots went cold from the floor, the Terriers countered with a patient offense on the other end. Thomas rookie Karli Stubbs (Auburn, Maine) quietly hit a pair of jumpers from the left corner, the second of which cut Gordon's lead to two points with 3:32 to go. The two teams only made two baskets combined for the rest of the half, giving Gordon a 31-29 lead.
Jess Ryan and Foley erupted from the locker room with a big offensive attack in the third quarter. Gordon entered the game having struggled in the period for a majority of the season, but both underclassman carried the team in the third. The Fighting Scots blew open the game with a 20-2 run over the final seven minutes of the period. The two guards combined for 23 of Gordon's 25 points in the period—Ryan with 12 and Foley with 11 points.
The game took another turn in the final quarter as Thomas played with a renewed vigor coming out of the timeout. The Terriers never gave up on the game despite the 20-point margin entering the final 10 minutes of play and suddenly couldn't miss on offense in the fourth, while turning the Scots over on defense. Thomas quickly got the game down to a manageable deficit while shooting over 60 percent in the quarter, while Gordon struggled to find its own groove.
When Dyson made a contested layup with under 30 seconds to go, Gordon held a 66-63 lead, but Thomas converted on an and-one chance to tie the game for the first time. The Fighting Scots took a double-timeout to set up a play in the near court and Foley delivered with an acrobatic finish amidst traffic at the block.
Thomas was unable to get off a shot on the other end and Gordon held on for the narrow victory.
Amira Jones (Chicopee, Mass.) had a double-double for the Terriers with 17 points and 13 rebounds. The junior also picked off two passes. Abby Nielsen (No. Yarmouth, Maine), Molly Carroll (Southwest Harbor, Maine) and Stubbs all pitched in 10 points. Jordan Turner (Casco, Maine) had six rebounds and five assists.
Foley added the second 20-plus night of her career, scoring 23 for the second time this season. She has now scored double-figures in four straight games. The freshman continues to pile up stats with seven rebounds, six assists and four steals to go with her big scoring night. Dyson's big first half put her at a career-high 17 points with five boards, while Ryan was the only other double-figure scorer with 14 points. Sarah Gibbs (Elizabethtown, Pa.) commanded presence in the low post with 15 rebounds and five blocks. Alisha Henderson (Oregon City, Ore.) came off the bench to dish out five assists.
Thomas held a firm advantage in points off the bench at 21-4, but gave up 15 second-chance points to the Fighting Scots. Gordon never trailed in the game.
The Terriers kick off 2017 with a home NAC matchup against Maine-Farmington on Tuesday, while Gordon hosts Nichols on the same night January 3, 2017.
