Women’s Basketball Holds On for 68-62 Win at Emerson

BOSTON – The Suffolk women's basketball team held on for a 68-62 victory at Emerson Monday afternoon inside the Bobbi & Plofker Gymnasium. 

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 68, Emerson 62
RECORDS: Suffolk (1-1) | Emerson (1-1)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gabriella DeComo put the Rams on the scoreboard prior to the tip as the junior buried a set of free throws on a pre-game Lions' technical foul. Suffolk could not rally around DeComo's freebies, however, as the blue-and-gold went scoreless over the opening five minutes of action to find itself in a 7-2 hole. 

Shannon Smith found Natalie Fraoili for a textbook reverse lay-up, which sparked an 8-0 Rams run over a 1:24 stretch that put the visitors ahead 10-7 with 2:40 left on the clock in the first quarter. 

Emerson used a timeout in an attempt to slow down Suffolk, but the rally carried out of the break for the Rams who extended their cushion to 13-7. With less than a minute remaining the Lions broke up Suffolk's spurt with a layup and Smith's midrange jumper followed suit to gain a seven-point, 16-9, lead for the visitors after the first 10 minutes. 

Just 2:31 into the second stanza,Jenni-Rose DiCecco secured her second straight game with double figures on a pair of freebies to extend Suffolk's advantage to double figures, 22-12. A minute later, Marissa Gudauskas struck on back-to-back possession from downtown to push the margin to 28-12 in favor of the Rams at the midway point of the second quarter. 

The Rams kept their foot on the gas pedal and Gudauskas' third triple of the day made it a 15-point, 35-20, Suffolk game with 2:43 to play before half time.  

Suffolk scored the final eight points of the quarter to head into the locker room with a hefty 43-22 advantage.  

The Rams remained in front by for the majority of the third quarter and a set of free throws from Smith at the 3:31 mark on the third gave the blue-and-gold its largest lead of 25, 57-32.  

Emerson did not go down without a fight and it made a late run to end the quartet and trim the deficit to 59-40 with 30 minutes in the scorebook.  

The Lions poured in nine quick points to open the final frame to cut the margin to 10, 59-49, with 6:45 to play in regulation.  

Ed Leyden calmed the Rams down in a timeout. Out of the huddle, Gudauskas put in a jumper and DeComo made a pair of buckets to regain a comfortable lead 65-49 for Suffolk with just over five minutes remaining.  

The Rams got too comfortable though and the Lions heated up from downtown to keep things interesting and trim the distance to just three, 65-62, with just under two minutes on the clock.  

Emerson missed a handful of opportunities from behind-the-arc and a jumper from DiCecco secured a five-point edge for Suffolk with 17 seconds to go.  

In a last-ditch effort, the Lions sent Decomo to the free throw line. The sophomore went 1-for-2 for the final 68-62 margin. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Gudauskas led a trio of Rams in double digits as the senior shot 5-for-8 from the field, including a 4-for-6 showing from three-point range, to finish with a team-high 16 points.
• DiCecco and Hackett each provided 14 points. DiCecco did not miss at the charity stripe, going 6-for-6, was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine caroms, including eight on the defensive end, and dished out five assists.  Hackett, meanwhile grabbed eights board and handed out four helpers. 
• DeComo pitched in nine points thanks to a 5-for-6 showing at the line. 
• Suffolk shot 37.5 percent from the field, 55.6 percent from three-point land and 73.0 percent from the foul line. 
• Off the bench, Emily Welling added eight boards. 
• The Rams outrebounded the Lions, 40-37.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk won its third straight against Emerson to move to 22-7 all-time versus the Lions.
• Gudauskas matched a career-best 16 points, as well as three-point field goals made, with four. 
• Gudauskas scored double figures for the first time since Jan. 25, 2018 and eighth time in her career. 
• DiCecco registered double digits in points for the second straight game and 21st time overall. 
• Hackett had double figures for the 31st time in her career and second consecutive contest. 
• Welling mad e her collegiate debut.  

POST-GAME PIC
  

COMING UP
Suffolk takes tomorrow off before returning to action Wednesday, Nov. 14 when the Rams welcome Salve Regain to Regan Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. conference clash.