BOSTON, Mass.—Wentworth Women's Basketball celebrated its Senior Day with its first Commonwealth Coast Conference victory of the season, besting Gordon on Saturday afternoon. Gordon nearly overcame a slow first three quarters with a fourth-quarter rally, but failed to capitalize on a pair of chances to tie the game in the waning minute as Wentworth held on for the 54-49 victory.
The Fighting Scots see their ledger dip to 7-16 overall and 5-11 in the CCC. Wentworth improves to 1-15 in the league and 3-20 overall. Gordon had hoped to stay pace with Salve Regina for the seventh seed in the upcoming CCC playoffs, but the Seahawks were able to take a one-game lead due to the Scots' loss.
Gordon has fallen on the unlucky side of the offensive coin the second time through the conference schedule and that did not change on Saturday at the Tansey Gymnasium. The Fighting Scots shot south of the 20 percent mark for much of the day, but their propensity for getting to the charity stripe allowed them to stay in the game throughout.
The two teams played to a 13-13 tie after the first quarter, as Gordon received good bench production from Kristen Smith (Littleton, Mass.) to the tune of seven points in the opening period. However, Wentworth countered back with nine points from Sam McGibbon (Pembroke, Mass.).
The Fighting Scots jumped out to a quick 20-15 advantage at the start of the second quarter, but Wentworth clawed its way back to take a 29-26 lead by the end of the first half.
It was the third quarter that ultimately did the Scots in as Wentworth was able to turn a one-possession game into a double-digit lead. After Sarah Gibbs (Elizabethtown, Pa.) layup, Gordon was only able to finish one shot from the field for the rest of the field as Wentworth did enough to keep the Fighting Scots at bay. Again, Gordon was able to keep things from getting too far out of reach with made shots at the free throw line, but still trailed by eight after three.
The tables turned a bit for the Fighting Scots in the fourth as the host Leopards left the door open for a comeback bid. After making only nine shots from the field over the first three periods, Gordon finished five in the fourth, including a clutch three from Alisha Henderson (Oregon City, Ore.) in the final minute.
Gordon was able to hold Wentworth scoreless for several minutes at a score of 51-44, but a combination of turnovers and missed free throws left the Fighting Scots from cutting into the deficit. Gordon was finally able to cut the lead to 51-49 with 24 seconds on the clock, but the Leopards made three of four free throws for the rest of the game to close things out.
The Fighting Scots nearly made a season-high free throws with 19 made attempts, but left 13 misses on the table that could have proven fruitful down the stretch. Gordon did tie their season-high in rebounds with 60 and broke their mark on the offensive glass with 24.
Meghan Foley (Malden, Mass.) led the Fighting Scots with 13 points and eight boards. Gibbs continued to pile up big rebound numbers with 15, keeping her in the top five in the CCC. Smith finished with seven points and 10 boards.
Wentworth's McGibbon cooled off after the first quarter and finished with 12 points overall. Haley Sabino was six-of-eight at the free throw line and finished with a double-double at 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kellie Messer celebrated her senior festivities with 11 rebounds and just two points shy of a double-double.
Gordon outrebounded Wentworth 60-41 for the game and 18-2 in second-chance points.
The Fighting Scots welcome a redhot UNE squad on Tuesday evening at the Bennett Center, winners of 12 games in a row after a 2-2 start in the league.
