Box Score
IMMACULATA, Pa. – Spurred by freshman Bridget Welz' career-high 13 points, the Immaculata University women's basketball team defeated visiting Haverford College Saturday afternoon, 49-44.
The victory evens the Mighty Macs' record to 2-2 overall, while the Fords begin the season 0-1.
Rachel Denis' jumper tied the contest for the seventh time with 5:01 remaining at 37-all. Kelly Brown scored the go-ahead basket at 3:25 and Welz hit a crucial three-pointer with 2:21 on the game clock, putting the Mighty Macs ahead, 42-37.
Haverford sandwiched two Allie Lieberman jumpers around IU's Courtney Murphy's layup to cut the Fords' deficit to 44-41 with 54 seconds remaining. Haverford was then forced to foul, bringing Immaculata's Kasey Hicks to the line. Hicks sunk the front end of the 1-and-1, and after missing the second attempt, Kelly Brown came down with the offensive rebound.
The Fords' then sent Brown to the foul line where she was 2-for-2. Haverford quickly moved the ball down court and Kathleen Abels shot a three-point attempt that was brought down by Immaculata's Welz.
Welz quickly dumped the ball off to Dominque Murray and was fouled. Murray made both free throws, and Immaculata led 49-41 with 18 seconds to play. The Fords tried to tie the game up late as Abels hit a three with 11 seconds left bringing the score to 49-44, however, the Fords' wouldn't get another shot off.
Welz led Immaculata in scoring with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Murray added nine points and a team-high nine rebounds and four steals. Brianna Duffin finished with nine points while Hicks had seven points and six assists.
Haverford led 25-21 at intermission of a first half that saw six lead changes and three ties. Immaculata trailed by one, 22-21, after Hicks hit a jumper with 1:02 to play in the half, but Daniell Harrison's three-pointer with 37 ticks in the opening stanza gave the Fords' the four-point advantage.
The second stanza began with Brittany Lattisaw going 1-for-2 at the line for Haverford, and after her first made free throw just 37 seconds into the half, the Fords went on a 7:57 dry spell. Over that time, Immaculata built a seven-point lead, 33-26, its largest of the game.
Lattisaw finished with a double-double of the Fords on 13 points and 14 rebounds. Abels also chipped in nine points while Lieberman had eight rebounds to accompany her six points.
Turnovers were the key factor in the contest. Immaculata was able to capitalize on Haverford's 27 turnovers for 17 points, while the Mighty Macs did a better job on controlling the ball in the second half, committing just four turnovers for no Haverford points.
Immaculata plays the third consecutive home contest of a six-game home-stand on Monday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. taking on Rutgers-Camden. Fans that bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the holiday food drive will receive free admission to the game.
