BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – For the first time in program history, the Concordia Clippers women's basketball team earn a win against Holy Family University as Concordia earned a 72-65 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) victory in the Meyer Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to the start of the game seniors Hadiyah Black (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Lyric Blanch (Kingston, N.Y.), and Julianne Wilkinson (Red Hook, N.Y.) were all honored for their hard work and dedication to the women's basketball program over their careers with the Clippers.
In the first quarter the two sides would be neck-and-neck on the scoreboard as neither side was able to gain an advantage until an 8-0 run for Concordia gave them a 13-8 lead at the 5:10 mark. The Tigers would tie the score at 15-15 before opening up a 19-15 advantage with 2:29 remaining on the clock. After 10 minutes of action the visitors would lead 23-19.
The Clippers would fall behind by eight points early in the second quarter as Concordia would begin to cut into the deficit. With just over a minute to go until halftime the Clippers would trail by only a basket, 36-34, and managed to tie the score at 36-36 at the break.
A 12-5 run for Concordia would begin the third quarter as the Clippers led 48-41 at the 3:36 mark. Concordia maintained their momentum throughout the period and held a 54-47 advantage after three quarters.
The Clippers would struggle to score early in the fourth quarter as Holy Family was able to get within two points, 54-52, with 6:17 remaining on the clock. Concordia would put together a run to lead 65-57 with 1:19 remaining in regulation as the Tigers attempted one last push. The Clippers wouldn't relinquish the lead in the closing seconds as Concordia held on for the 72-65 victory to snap a five-game losing skid.
Sophomore Nicole Nicholson (Staten Island, N.Y.) led the Clippers with a game-high 22 points while adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Sophomore Amiya Rankins (Somerset, N.J.) and Blanch both added 13 points while Wilkinson added 10 points. Black would finish the game with a double-double of 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with six blocks.
Concordia (4-22, 4-13 CACC) will next visit Dominican (N.Y.) on Wednesday evening for a CACC North Division game in Orangeburg, N.Y. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. as fans unable to attend can follow the action by clicking on the live stats and video links under the women's basketball schedule page on ConcordiaClippers.com.