See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
St. Francis College had already lost a double overtime thriller to Robert Morris earlier this season and the Terriers weren’t going to let that happen again.
The St. Francis women’s basketball team made all the big plays in the extra season this time around, including nine points from junior guard Eilidh Simpson, to defeat the Northeast Conference-leading Colonials 93–82 at home last on Jan. 24. Simpson scored from the outside, on drives to the basket, and made four critical free-throws as the Terriers team earned its biggest win of the season.
“It’s always tough to lose in OT,” Simpson said. “Tonight, that wasn’t going to happen. It was so important for us to win.”
With this win, St. Francis keeps in play the chance to host a first-round home game in the upcoming conference tournament, and also increased the program’s record for wins in a season.
The Terriers (18–9, 9–7) held its own with Robert Morris (17–10, 13–3), trailing 34–29 at the half. But in the second half, St. Francis caught fire, at one point converting 13 of 16 shots from the field — including four three-pointers from sharp-shooter Sarah Benedetti — to defeat the conference leaders.
“Obviously, it’s a big win because it’s a first-place team,” St. Francis coach John Thurston said.
The Terriers rose to the challenge, facing the reigning conference Player of the Year in Artemis Spandou. The Robert Morris all-time leading scorer, male or female, scored 37 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against St. Francis.
“When we play at our highest level, we can play with them.” Thurston said. “We made great passes. We made tough shots. We made shots that we’ll never make again.”
One of those shots was Benedetti connecting on a driving layup amid two defenders. She deftly moved the ball from her left hand behind her back to her right so she could position herself for the shot, which she made in the final minute of regulation. She wowed her teammates, the crowd, and her coach.
“I thought that was an out-of-body experience.” Thurston said. “They’ll be talking about that for years.”
Benedetti scored a career-high 28 points and shot 6-for-12 from long-distance. Simpson scored a career-high 27 points. Junior Jaymee Veney played a strong game in tallying 17 points, many at crucial moments, and played tough defense on Spandou. It was all part of a hot-shooting day for the Terriers.
“In the first half I was a little off,” Benedetti said. “My coach and teammates told me to keep shooting and they’ll fall. I owe it to them for giving me confidence.”