Box Score
The Lehman College women's basketball team (7-6 Overall, 2-1 CUNYAC) suffered their first conference loss of the 2008-2009 season on Wednesday evening as the Lightning fell to the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island (10-4 Overall, 3-0 CUNYAC) by a score of 81-77 in overtime at the Sports and Recreation Center in Staten Island, New York.
The Dolphins came out hitting on all cylinders in the opening stages of the contest, sprinting out to an early 19-6 lead just five minutes into the contest. Over the ensuing 12 minutes of the game, Lehman College used a ferocious 27-6 run to take a six point lead, 33-25, with 3:32 remaining the first stanza. As the teams headed into the locker room at halftime, the Lightning held a five point lead, 33-28.
In the second half, the Lightning continued to stay persistent as the squad built what seemed to be a comfortable 11 point lead, 60-49, with 8:07 remaining in the game. The Dolphins continued to fight, however, chipping away at the Lehman advantage and eventually taking a one point lead, 65-64, thanks to a long three-point basket by sophomore Allie Shanahan with 1:50 remaining in the game. After a free throw by the Dolphins' Megan Sullivan gave the CSI a two-point lead, junior guard Kelsey Ash, who had a monster second half for the Lightning, buried a layup with 1:13 remaining to even the score.
CSI's ensuing trip down the floor resulted in a missed three pointer by Kristen Panariello and a turnover by Megan Sullivan, as Lehman's Tonisha Kirby recorded the steal. The point guard then fed Sally Nnamani who nailed a jumper with 38 seconds remaining, giving Lehman a two point lead for the moment. CSI then raced down the floor and tied the game on a layup by Panariello. With the game knotted at 68 apiece, Head Coach Eric Harrison called a full timeout. When play resumed, Nnamani misfired on a potential game-winning layup, sending the game to an extra session.
In the overtime, the Dolphins were holding on to a 78-74 lead in the final minute of play when Kirby was fouled in the action of shooting with 56 ticks left on the clock. Kirby proceeded to nail both shots from the charity stripe, cutting CSI's lead in half. On the ensuing Dolphin possession, Shanahan was fouled on a layup attempt by senior Monique Sampson, who picked up her fifth personal foul and was forced to leave the game. After Shanahan connected on one of her two free throws, Kirby was fouled on a drive by Staten Island's Amanda Sanguinedo, sending Tonisha to the line for a pair of free throws. Kirby connected on the first free throw but missed the second. CSI standout Melanie D'Ambrosi collected the rebounded but stepped out of bounds, giving Lehman the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead.
After a Lehman timeout, the ball was inbounded to Paulie Tuazon who was fouled by Sullivan with four seconds remaining. Tuazon then proceeded to miss both free throws, but Kirby snatched the board and was fouled by D'Ambrosi, putting Kirby at the line. Lehman's junior guard missed both free throws, however, with Panariello collecting the rebound and getting fouled by Kirby. Panariello connected on her free throw attempts, increasing the CSI lead to four and putting the game away.
Despite the loss, Sampson put forth a terrific game, scoring 21 points while snatching 23 rebounds and also tallying four steals. Ash put forth arguably her best game as a member of the Lightning, finishing the contest with 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists. 12 of her 18 points game via the three point shot, as she connected on four shots from downtown for the evening. Barnes posted a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Nnamani completed her night with 11 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
In a winning effort for the Dolphins, Shanahan dropped in a game-high 22 points while snatching seven caroms, and Sullivan posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. D'Ambrosi netted 14 points, grabbed eight boards, and tallied four steals, and Panariello finished her night with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
The Lightning will look to bounce back Friday evening as the team takes to the road to battle the Hawks of Hunter College, with game-time scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
