IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata women's basketball team never trailed and used a dominant third quarter to defeat Centenary 68-59 in the Atlantic East Conference Semifinals on Wednesday evening at Alumnae Hall.
Three Mighty Macs finished in double figures, led by
Riley Cassidy, who poured in 16 points while knocking down four three-pointers.
Abby Grillo added 13 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists to register a double-double, while
Carly Coleman contributed 11 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in a strong all-around effort. Immaculata shot 46.9 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three-point range, including a scorching 80 percent from deep in the third quarter.
With the win, Immaculata (23-3, 14-0 AEC) advances to the Atlantic East Conference Championship game for the second consecutive season.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST CENTENARY
- Immaculata established control early and never relinquished the lead. After trading baskets in the opening minutes, Immaculata used defensive pressure and transition opportunities to build a nine-point advantage midway through the period. Strong interior defense, including multiple early blocks, limited Centenary's efficiency in the paint. Although the Cyclones generated second-chance opportunities, Immaculata held them to 4-of-19 shooting (21.1%) in the quarter to take a 14–10 lead into the second. Carly Coleman led Immaculata with six points and a pair of assists in the first quarter.
- Immaculata continued to dictate tempo in the second frame, stretching the lead to as many as eight points. Balanced scoring and solid ball movement created quality looks, while the defense forced key turnovers that led to transition points. Centenary made a brief push late in the quarter, but the Mighty Macs maintained composure and entered the locker room with a 29–21 advantage. Carly Coleman took an inbound pass from Sofia Kouridakis with 1.5 seconds remaining and hit a buzzer-beating jumper for the Mighty Macs. Through two quarters, Immaculata's defensive intensity set the foundation, holding the Cyclones under 20 percent shooting in the half.
- Immaculata delivered its most efficient stretch of the night, shooting 9-of-13 (69.2%) from the field and an impressive 4-of-5 (80%) from three-point range. Riley Cassidy hit three of her four three-pointers in the third quarter for Immaculata. Crisp passing and inside-out action led to multiple open perimeter looks as the Mighty Macs extended the lead to 18 points (53–35) heading into the fourth. Defensively, Immaculata limited Centenary's rhythm, contesting shots and protecting the rim to prevent any sustained rally.
- Centenary would not go quietly. Centenary mounted its strongest push in the final 10 minutes, attacking the paint and capitalizing at the free-throw line to cut the deficit to five with just over two minutes remaining. However, the Mighty Macs responded with poise. Timely defensive stops and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch preserved the advantage. Immaculata went 9-of-12 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to seal the 68–59 victory. Abby Grillo hit four clutch free throws late in the game to help Immaculata close out the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Riley Cassidy scored 16 points, shooting 4-7 from beyond the arc.
- Abby Grillo with a double-double scoring 13 points, with 11 rebounds, and five assists.
- Carly Coleman scored 11 points, with nine rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals.
- Olivia Ettorre scored nine points, with two rebounds.
- Sabrina Little scored seven points.
- Meg Robbins scored five points and added two blocks.
- Sofia Kouridakis scored four points and added two rebounds.
- Julia Pohl scored three points and added five rebounds.
- The Mighty Macs also went 17-of-24 (70.8 percent) from the free-throw line, converting key attempts in the final minutes to keep the Cyclones at bay.
UP NEXT
The Immaculata women's basketball team will host Marywood in the Atlantic East Conference Championship Game at Alumnae Hall on Saturday, February 28, at 2:00 p.m.
