Wheelock stages final minute comeback over Bay Path

HOLYOKE, Mass.—Defense was the name of tonight’s New England Collegiate Conference match-up, the Wheelock College Wildcats took advantage of some last minute fouls made by the Wildcats of Bay Path to take the lead and win the game 48-46. Leading the way for Wheelock was senior forward Sarah Brown (Plainville, Conn.)with seventeen points topping all players. (Right: Wheelock junior point guard Joy Holiday).

Bay Path suffered a key loss in senior forward Jessica Hunt (Madison, Conn.) in the final eight minutes of play after fouling out. Hunt led the Bay Path Wildcats with a double double putting up 14 points and 13 boards. Hunt also pitched in five steals and two blocks.

Brown launched the come-back at 5:59 nailing two from the charity stripe bringing the score within four points. Sophomore forward Kayla Drescher (Wallingford, Conn.) proceeded to hit a jumper off a dish from Brown and bring it closer 40-38 at 5:08 on the clock.

Senior center Kathleen Rodrigue (West Stewartstown, N.H.) held onto to Bay Path’s lead with a made free-throw 41-38. Brown again started the rally answering back with two made from the line. Wheelock’s freshman guard Keneisha Milton (Boston, Mass.) hit a lay-up and grabbed the lead 42-41 for Wheelock. Junior guard Joy Holliday (Milford, Mass.) added two made free-throws pushing the lead by three.

Senior point-guard Christina Calabrese (Hamilton, N.J.) nailed a trey for knot the game 44-44 at 1:19 on the clock.

Dreshcer and Holliday would draw the fouls and each make one shot from the line. Milton finished with eight points while Drescher added six points.

Brown would clinch the win hitting both free-throws in the final seconds for the Wildcats of Wheelock.

Junior guard Katie Begin (Weare, N.H.) would throw up a last ditch shot to bring the final tally within one bucket. Both Calabrese and Begin added five points apiece. Rodrigue had seven points. Sophomore guard Nadine Harkless (Westfield, Mass.) tallied nine points, five rebounds and three steals.

Wheelock is now 3-10 overall and 2-2 in the NECC, while Bay Path falls to 3-11 on the season and 0-6 in conference play. Bay Path will be back in action on Tuesday, January 26th hosting Daniel Webster at an 8:00 p.m. start time.