Weston, MA – The Sage Colleges' women's basketball team was in action on Sunday in the championship game of the Regis College Tip-Off Tournament. Suffolk University won the championship crown with a 52-48 win over Sage, putting the Gators at 1-1 on the young season.
Sage's junior guard Megan Bowman (Dannemora, NY/Saranac) and junior forward Carlee Hirt (Beacon, NY/John Jay) earned recognition with a selection to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts this weekend.
Bowman netted 14 points to lead the Gators as they trailed 24-23 at the break. She added four assists with two steals, while Hirt added seven points with six rebounds. Freshman guard Frankie Pearson (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosic Falls Central) added nine points with six rebounds off the bench for the Gators.
The first half saw each team trade baskets in the early minutes. Sage found themselves down, 13-10 at the 9:54 mark but would go on a 13-2 run over the next six minutes to jump out to a 23-15 lead with 3:58 to play in the half. Poor shooting plagued Suffolk, as they shot 26.3% from the field and were just 1-for 11 on three-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes.
Suffolk would go on a run of their own, however, and cruised for nine straight points to close out the half with a slim 24-23 lead over the Gators. Junior guard and All-Tournament Team member Shelby Santini (Winchester, Mass.) was responsible for seven points during that stretch and scored all nine of her points in the first half.
A three-pointer by Tournament MVP Iliana Quadri (Sudbury, Mass.) tied the game at 31 apiece with 12 minutes remaining in the game to break an 8-2 run by the Gators. Both teams continued to trade baskets for much of the remainder of the game, with neither team leading by more than three points until under a minute to play.
Freshman guard Kelsey Schiebel (Windham, N.H.) knocked down two free-throws with 43 seconds left to put Suffolk ahead, 48-44. Schiebel was sent to the line again with 29 seconds left and sank back-to-back shots for a six point edge.
Despite a quick jumper by All-Tournament Team member Bowman and a layup by junior Lea McClain (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen), Schiebel would go on to hit two more crucial free-throws to help the Rams close out the game.
Senior forward Jennifer Ruys (Wallingford, Conn.) finished with 13 points and seven rebounds to lead Suffolk in the victory.
Regis College Invitational - All-Tournament Team:
Regis - Amanda Hawkesworth (Abington, Mass.)
MIT - Sabrina Drammis (Hilton Head Island, S.C.)
Sage - Megan Bowman (Dannemora, N.Y.)
Sage - Carlee Hirt (Beacon, N.Y.)
Suffolk - Shelby Santini (Winchester, Mass.)
Suffolk - Iliana Quadri (Sudbury, Mass.) *** MVP
The Gators will host Southern Vermont College on Wednesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. in the Kahl Gym in the squad's home opener.