HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Immaculata women's basketball team rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to earn a hard-fought 74–71 Atlantic East Conference road victory over Centenary on Saturday afternoon.
Carly Coleman fueled the comeback with a career-high 34 points, scoring 15 in the fourth quarter to lead the Mighty Macs.
Abby Grillo added 14 points and six rebounds, while
Sabrina Little contributed eight points and six steals.
With the win, Immaculata improves to 12–3 overall and 4–0 in Atlantic East Conference play. Centenary falls to 8–7 overall and 1–3 in conference action.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST CENTENARY
- Immaculata opened the game with strong defensive pressure and built an early lead, holding Centenary scoreless for the first two minutes before Carly Coleman scored the Mighty Macs' first basket.
- After Centenary answered with a three-pointer, Immaculata responded behind interior scoring from Coleman and Olivia Ettorre to regain the advantage.
- Meg Robbins converted a pair of free throws late in the period to push the Mighty Macs ahead by six.
- Centenary closed the quarter with consecutive fast-break layups to trim the deficit, but Immaculata maintained an 18–16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
- Immaculata regained momentum in the second quarter behind strong interior play from Carly Coleman and Abby Grillo.
- Grillo scored seven points in the period, helping the Mighty Macs build a double-digit lead midway through the quarter.
- Centenary closed the half with a late run, but Immaculata carried a 36–30 advantage into halftime.
- Centenary opened the third quarter with an early run to erase Immaculata's halftime lead, briefly pulling ahead.
- The Mighty Macs answered with back-to-back fast-break layups from Carly Coleman and Olivia Ettorre to regain momentum, but Centenary closed the period strong. Immaculata trailed 52–49 heading into the fourth quarter.
- Centenary opened the fourth quarter with a surge, pushing its lead to as many as eight points, but Immaculata responded with poise down the stretch.
- Abby Grillo kept the Mighty Macs within striking distance early in the quarter before Carly Coleman took over, scoring in the paint, converting three-point plays, and knocking down key free throws to fuel the comeback.
- Sabrina Little sparked the rally with timely steals and transition baskets, while Meg Robbins delivered a critical offensive rebound and putback with just over a minute remaining to extend Immaculata's lead.
- After Centenary closed within one in the final minute, Coleman calmly sank two free throws in the closing seconds to secure the 74–71 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Carly Coleman scored a career-high 34 points, including 15 in the final quarter, while adding six rebounds, and three steals.
- Abby Grillo added 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
- Sabrina Little scored eight points and added six steals.
- Meg Robbins scored six points, including a late rebound and put back in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Immaculata women's basketball team returns home to Alumnae Hall on Wednesday, January 21, for an Atlantic East Conference matchup with Marymount at 6 p.m.
