IMMACULATA, Pa. – The Immaculata University women's basketball team used a dominant fourth-quarter performance to pull away from Neumann University, earning an 82–72 Atlantic East Conference victory Saturday afternoon at Alumnae Hall.
Riley Cassidy led Immaculata, scoring a career-high 27 points, shooting 6-8 from three-point range, including 3-3 in the fourth quarter, while adding 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Carly Coleman scored 15 points, including 13 in the second half, and eight in the final quarter, while contributing seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Keira Benoit provided energy off the bench, scoring a career-high 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Sabrina Little scored 11 points, with three rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
With the win, Immaculata improves to 16-3 overall, and 8-0 in Atlantic East Conference play, while Neumann falls to 5-14 overall and 3-5 in the Atlantic East Conference.
COACH WHALEN'S REMARKS
"What a game- phenomenal contributions from Riley and Keira gave an incredible effort off the bench," said Whalen. "Another resilient team effort; this group refuses to let up even when we are down. Hoping to continue building off this win!"
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST NEUMANN
- Neumann set the tone early, going on a quick scoring run to take a 23–10 lead by attacking the paint. Immaculata had trouble finding its groove offensively in the first 10 minutes, but the group stayed calm and finished the quarter strong on the defensive glass, preventing the gap from growing any wider.
- The Mighty Macs flipped the script in the second quarter, erupting for a 27–9 run to seize momentum. Immaculata turned defense into offense, forcing turnovers and knocking down shots from deep, with Riley Cassidy drilling three triples in the period. A late push, punctuated by Cassidy's deep three, sent the Macs into the break holding a 37–32 halftime lead. Olivia Ettorre contributed a pair of three-pointers, and Benoit scored six points in the quarter.
- The third quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle with several lead changes. Neumann briefly pulled back in front, but Immaculata stayed right there, leaning on strong interior scoring from Keira Benoit and steady play from Carly Coleman. Neumann carried a slim 54–51 edge into the final period.
- Immaculata seized control in the final quarter, pouring in 31 points to take command of the game. Riley Cassidy hit three straight three-pointers in a key stretch, while Carly Coleman was flawless from the free-throw line down the stretch. Benoit added four points, and Sabrina Little added a pair of important steals. The Mighty Macs pulled away in the closing minutes, securing an 82–72 Atlantic East victory at Alumnae Hall.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Riley Cassidy led the way with a career-high 27 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, shooting 9-13 from the field and 6-8 from three-point range.
- Carly Coleman added 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, hitting 11-12 from the free-throw line.
- Keira Benoit contributed a career-high 14 points off the bench, along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
- Sabrina Little scored 11 points, with three rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
- Olivia Ettorre chipped in eight points, hitting two three-pointers and grabbing seven rebounds.
UP NEXT
- The Immaculata women's basketball team will be back at Alumnae Hall on Wednesday, February 4, when the host Saint Elizabeth for an AEC game at 6 p.m.
