Box Score

Bronx, NY --- The #7 seed Brooklyn College Women's Basketball team fell to the #3 seed Lehman College Lightning earlier today at the Apex in the Semifinals of the 2011 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Tournament by a score of 80-73 in overtime.

The Lightning took control of the game early jumping out to a 16-5 advantage at the 12:52 mark of the first half. Trailing by 11 for the second time in the half, 18-7, with 11:31 remaining before the break, the Bulldogs began to chip away at their deficit outscoring Lehman 22-11 over the next nine and half minutes to tie the game at 29 all with two minutes left in the half. Both teams would exchange baskets to close out the half, as the Lightning headed into halftime with a one point lead, 35-34.

Lehman would once again jump out to a double-digit lead as the Lighting opened up the second half with a 12-0 run to take a 47-34 advantage. An Ashley Allen three-pointer with 16:21 remaining in the game ended the Bulldogs' scoring drought. Facing its largest deficit of the day, 52-37, with 15:09 left in the game, Brooklyn once again began to claw its way back using a 26-11 run over the next nine and half minutes to tie the game at 63 apiece with 5:49 remaining in the game. The teams would again trade baskets down the stretch as the game looked to go into overtime.

After an Ariel Smith jumper gave the Bulldogs just their fourth lead of the game, 69-68, with 33 seconds left before the final horn, Lehman would have a chance to take the lead as Jaleesa Gordon went to the free throw line following a BC foul with 19 seconds remaining. Gordon would hit one of two to tie the game at 69 all. Brooklyn would have a chance to win the game in the final seconds, but was unable to convert as the game headed into OT.

The host Lightning would hold court in the extra frame outscoring the Bulldogs 11-4 in overtime. Lehman scored the first six points in OT to take a 75-69 with 1:54 left in the game. After a layup from Allen cut BC's deficit to three, 76-73, with 23 ticks left, the Lightning would score the final four points of the game hitting their free throws to take the 80-73 victory.

For the game, Lehman shot an even 40% (30-for-75) from the field, but struggled from the three hitting just 3-for-17 (17.6%) from beyond the arc. However, the Lightning were able to convert on 73.9% from the free throw line (17-for-23). BC shot 36.4% (28-for-77) from the floor and 36.0% (9-for-25) from three. The Bulldogs struggled from the line hitting just 44.4% (8-for-18) from the charity stripe.

Lehman also held the rebounding edge 52-48.

Louvinia Hayes led all scores for the Lightning dropping a game-high 36 points, to go with seven rebounds and four steals. Amanda De La Cruz added 17 points and six assists, while Gordon chipped in with a double-double scoring 14 points and grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds. She also recorded eight blocks in the game.

For BC, Smith dropped a team-high 27 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds for the double-double. Smith also dished out five assists. Justine O'Callahan also finished the game with a double-double recording 11 points and 12 rebounds. Allen chipped in with 11 points coming off the bench.

Brooklyn finishes the season with a 17-12 overall record, while Lehman improves to 19-11 and advances to the championship game of the ECAC Metro Tournament, scheduled to be held tomorrow, March 6th, where the Lighting will host the #4 seed St. John Fisher College.