WATCH THE GAME-WINNING SHOT

CHESTER, Pa. (Nov. 18, 2015) - Senior Ally Ferrucci (Vineland, N.J.) nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to propel the Widener University women's basketball team to a thrilling 61-58 win over Swarthmore on Wednesday evening at the Schwartz Center.

Trailing 58-55 down the stretch, Swarthmore had the ball with an opportunity to force overtime and got a clutch 3-pointer when Jessica Jowdy nailed a shot from beyond the arc on the left side with 4.5 seconds left while being contested by Ferrucci. Widener's senior leader, however, received a pass on the ensuing play and hit a trey on the other end from the right arc as time expired to send the gym and the Widener bench into bedlam.
 
The Pride faced a 36-31 deficit at recess and played from behind for most of the second half. But after Jowdy drove in for a layup to make it 53-41 in favor of the Garnet, the hosts stormed back and scored 16 unanswered. Senior Brianna Wylie (Mount Laurel, N.J.) had eight points during the outburst, and freshman Tasjah Davis (Hebron, Md.) put the Pride ahead for good by driving in for a layup to create a 55-53 score with 1:12 left. Ferrucci then dished out an assist to sophomore Julia Venturelli (Bridgewater, N.J.) before providing the heroics in the waning seconds to propel the Pride to the victory.
 
Swarthmore (0-1) got off to a strong start and led 21-16 after the first quarter, which was capped  by Maggie O'Neil sinking a 3-pointer with 15 seconds on the clock. The Garnet led by as many as 11 in the second, but the hosts slashed the deficit all the way down to one to remain in striking distance and eventually complete the rally for a come-from-behind win.
 
In addition to sinking a last-second shot, Ferrucci finished the game with nine points and 12 assists along with three steals to lead the way for Widener. Wylie registered her third double-double in as many games to start the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Venturelli netted 13. Freshman Emily Hardy (Lewisberry, Pa.) was solid off the bench with six points and 10 boards.
 
Jowdy paced Swarthmore in the losing effort with 12 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals. O'Neil had a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards off the bench, while Abbey Deckard finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
 
Widener (2-1) will look to win its third straight game when it entertains Penn State-Brandywine at the Schwartz Center on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1:00 p.m.