Waltham, Mass. - A historic season for the No. 10 Dowling College women's basketball team continues as the Golden Lions pull a 57-45 come from behind win over the second seeded Skyhawks of Stonehill College. The Golden Lions advance to NCAA East Region Final and will face top seeded Bentley University Monday, March 18th at 7:00 PM.
Senior Connie Simmons finished with a game high 19 points while adding eight rebounds. Senior Danielle Wilson notched her third straight postseason double double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
After trailing the entire first half of play, the Golden Lions over came their largest deficit, 30-22, using an 8-2 run in the opening minutes of the second half to tie the game at 32. At the 13:40 mark, Wilson's free throw gave the Golden Lions their first lead of the evening, 33-32, but a layup by Stonehill's Paige Marshall put the score back in the Skyhawks favor.
Two minutes later, with Wilson at the line, Dowling tied it up at 34 and five unanswered points by Julia Koppl gave the Golden Lions a lead that they would not relinquish through the final 9:37 of play. Two Simmons free throws put Dowling ahead by double digits at the 5:14 mark and three minutes later a Skyhawk turnover transitioned to a layup by Christine Verrelle extending the Golden Lion lead to their largest of the evening, 55-41. Back to back field goals from Stonehill cut the lead to 10, 55-45, but with 20 seconds left in the game Verrelle made both her free throws sealing the 12 point victory.
Dowling shot 39.6% (21 for 53) from the field while holding the Skyhawks to just 29.5% (18 for 61). The Golden Lions out rebounded Stonehill 48 to 35 and held a 28-12 advantage in the paint.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
