Oakdale, N.Y. - The No. 11 nationally ranked
Dowling College women's basketball game outlasted the Pioneers of
LIU Post in the East Coast Conference Semifinal Round 58-55 this
evening at Dowling Gymnasium. The Golden Lions improve to
24-3 and advance to the Final Round for the second straight
year. The Pioneers are eliminated by Dowling in the Semifinal
Round for the second straight year and to 19-9.
Dowling's Connie Simmons had a team high of 15 points with five
rebounds. Julia Koppl and Seja Gamble finished with 12 points
apiece with Christine Verrelle adding 11.
LIU's Alexis Peters notched a game high 16 points with seven points
with Nicolette Marciniak pitching in with 11 points.
The Pioneers opened the game on a 6-0 run from three straight
Golden Lions turnovers and extended their lead to 10-4 through
three and a half minutes of play. Following a timeout, Dowling went
on a 7-0 run capped by a three point play from Julia Koppl for
their first lead of the game, 12-10. The game went back- and-
forth and was tied 25 all, late in the period. The Pioneers took
the lead back a minute later and held it over the next ten minutes
of play. Christine Verrelle drove lane for a layup to knot
the game at 25. Koppl gave DC the lead with 3:22 remaining in
the half and was fouled for her second and one opportunity.
Free throws by Verrelle pushed the lead to five, 30-25, but the
Pioneers closed out the half with a 6-0 to go into the break
leading 31-30. Alexis Peters led the way for LIU Post with 12 first
half points and Connie Simmons led Dowling with 9 points.
Dowling came out of the locker rooms to a 7-0 streak led by Simmons
who tallied the first five points of the half. Just over three
minutes later the Pioneers pulled back ahead using a layup form
Nicolette Marciniak. The Golden Lions trailed the Pioneers
until the final minute of play when Koppl was fouled at long range
and made all three foul shots to even the game at 55. With 20
seconds remaining, Simmons was sent to the line making one of two
for a slight 56-55 lead. After a missed Pioneer free throw,
Verrelle grabbed the rebound and was fouled immediately in an
attempt to stop the clock with 8 ticks left. Her two shot
from the line secured the win advancing the Golden Lions to the
Final Round.
Despite being out shot 45.8% to 36.7% from the field, the Golden
Lions took advantage of being sent to the line making 18 of 24 to
LIU's 6 of 10.
Dowling College hosts NYIT in the ECC Finals Sunday at 1:00 PM at
Dowling Gymnasium in Oakdale, N.Y.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
