Southern Vermont WBB Tops Wheelock In Final Seconds, 62-61
Photo Courtesy: Bill DiLillo Photography
BENNINGTON, Vt. - Southern Vermont College women's basketball junior forward Rachel Pannell's laid in the winning layup with 10 seconds to go to put the Mountaineers up by one, 62-61, on its New England Collegiate Conference rival the Wheelock College Wildcats Thursday night at the Field House. Pannell finished with a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Wildcat senior guard Sarah Brown drained seven three's for a game-high 21 points.
The win improves SVC to 3-14 overall and 2-7 in the Conference, while the loss drops Wheelock to 3-12 overall and 2-4 in the NECC.
After a seemingly slow first half the Wildcats led 28-23 at the break. The Mountaineers got right back in it in the second half tying it up with 18:30 on the clock. After several lead changes running into the final minutes of the game Southern Vermont tied it up at 54 with 4:44 remaining when junior forward Kiara Bates stole the ball and laid in for two. Foul trouble plagued the Wildcats as it had three key players with four fouls. The Mountaineers regained the lead 56-54 with 4:18 to go with two free throws from Christie Henry (8 points, 12 rebounds).
A three by Brown with 2:18 to go cut SVC's lead to one (58-57) and a few baskets later sophomore Kayla Drescher drained a jumper to give the Wildcats a 61-60 lead with 32 seconds remaining. SVC Head Coach Mike Quinn called a timeout and drew up a play to get Pannell the ball and it paid off as she laid it in for the victory.
The Mountaineers beat the Wildcats after recently losing to them on the road 65-42. Southern Vermont had 24 points off of Wheelock turnovers; as well as 40 points in the paint to the Wildcats six. Southern Vermont outscored Wheelock 39-33 in the second half.
Sophomore guard Alyssa Davis had 12 points and freshman forward Corey Higgins had a stellar night with 11 points shooting 5-of-6 from the field. Joa Claircius chipped in seven points to round out the Mountaineer offense.
Junior guard Joy Holliday had 13 points respectively for the Wildcats. Freshman guard Keneisha Milton finished the night with a double-double pulling down 14 boards and scoring 12 points.
The Mountaineers are back in action Thursday, January 30th, when it travels to Bay Path College for a 5:00 p.m. tip-off.
