Box Score

IMMACULATA, Pa.- Trailing by 19 points with just 3:30 to play in regulation, Immaculata University's women's basketball team made a furious rally attempt, but fell just short versus Baptist Bible College in Colonial States Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon, falling 69-65 to the Defenders.

The two teams swapped the lead several times over the first 10 minutes of the contest before the Mighty Macs took its largest lead at six points, 19-13, at the 5:10 minute mark.  The Defenders responded using a 13-3 run to close the half and held a 26-23 at the break.

Baptist Bible (13-5, 8-2 CSAC) extended their advantage to 12 points six minutes into the second half but the Mighty Macs would cut the deficit to nine, 45-36, with 12:20 left to play on a free-throw from Bridget Welz. The Defenders exploded on another run (8-4) but the Mighty Macs continued to battle and a trey from Brianna Duffin cut the lead, 54-44, with seven minutes to play. Kacee Rava contributed seven points in the next two minutes to put the visitors ahead by the largest lead of the game, 63-44. 

Alison Zimny fueled the Mighty Macs' comeback knocking down back-to-back three-pointers with three minutes remaining. Chrissy Esbensen would connect on three-ball 28 seconds later to cut  Immaculata's deficit to nine points, 65-56. At the 1:22 minute mark, Kelly Brown netted a pair of free throws before Zimny swiped a steal and finished with a layup as Immaculata trailed by only five points, 66-61. Brown brought the Mighty Macs to within three on another pair of free throws, 66-63, but a layup from Rava put the visitors back to a five point lead with 51 seconds remaining. Leah Kuczynski hit two free throws with 30 seconds remaining but that would be the final points Immaculata scored on the afternoon as Kelly Bargfeldt connected on a free throw in the final seconds to thwart the Mighty Macs' comeback bid.

Welz led Immaculata with a double-double of 15 points and 11 boards while Kuczynski totaled 14 points and six rebounds. Alison Zimny finished the game with 11 points while Brianna Duffin contributed nine points and four steals in the loss. Esbensen dished out a game-high 10 assists.

Rava finished with a double-double of 27 points and 19 rebounds while Jessica White totaled 17 points, 11 boards, and four steals.

Immaculata (9-10, 7-3 CSAC) returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 1 hosting rival Neumann for 6 p.m. contest.