A stifling defense that worked great in the first half for Goldey-Beacom did not work so great in the second as the visitors were dealt a 63-60 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference loss at Caldwell in Caldwell, NJ.
Goldey-Beacom in the opening half displayed solid defense, holding Caldwell to 21 percent shooting (6-of-29) that included 2-of-15 in the first quarter. The Cougars also committed 11 turnovers in the half and shot just 2-of-12 from three-point range.
Senior Alexis Harrison (Millville, NJ) had seven points and eight rebounds in the half with freshman Rory Ciszkowski (Wilmington, DE) adding six points.
The Lightning in the third quarter began to hit their offensive stride, shooting 56 percent (9-of-16 the floor with four 3-pointers. Ciszkowski netted eight points in the period.
Unfortunately, the Cougars also showed great offensive play in that time by shooting 58 percent (11-of-19) from the field. Casey O'Shaughnessy and Halle Brown each scored six points in that time.
The real catalyst for Caldwell was a 12-1 run that turned a 34-18 deficit into a 35-30 contest with 6:24 remaining in the third. Brown scored four points in the spurt, ending it on a layup.
The Cougars then began the fourth quarter with a 17-4 run for a 58-54 lead with 3:31 left. Lucy Coogan went on a tear with seven points and Saundra Cleckley added four.
Senior Mone Izumi (Fukuoka, Japan) canned a huge 3-pointer to get the Lightning to a 58-57 deficit with 2:27 remaining on what turned out to be the game's last field goal. An offensive fizzle ensued until 1:36 left, when Caldwell's Jessica Wagoner made 1-of-2 from the line for a 59-57 contest.
Both teams could not get that next basket, but Izumi was sent to the line after looking for the tying goal. She made 1-of-2 from the stripe with 32 seconds remaining for a 59-58 deficit.
The Lightning were forced to foul and sent O'Shaughnessy back to the line, where she made both with 14 seconds to go for a 61-58 game. Harrison looked for a quick bucket, but Coogan swatted away her shot. Senior Lexi Weikert (Harrisburg, PA) got the rebound and fed sophomore Julie McCarron (Wilmington, DE), who could not hit the tying 3-pointer.
The impending rebound was not corralled as Harrison was fouled with four seconds left. She made two free throws for a 61-60 game and now GBC again was forced to foul.
Brown made two free throws with three seconds left for a three-point game and Weikert's desperation 3-pointer was off as time expired.
Ciszkowski scored 14 points to go with four 3-pointers, Harrison recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season, Izumi had 10 and seven with Weikert also scoring 10 points for GBC (5-10, 2-3 CACC).
O'Shaughnessy poured in 14 points, Coogan netted 11 and Cleckley added 10 for the Cougars (7-7, 3-3), who shot 56 percent (19-of-34) from the floor in the second half.
Goldey-Beacom is home Tuesday to host Jefferson, which at the moment is ranked 11th in the country and first in the East Region. Both rankings are according to D2SIDA. Game time is at 6:00 pm with the men's contest between the same schools to follow at 8:00 pm.
