MEDIA, Pa. (Jan. 4, 2017) – Alyssa Abbonizio knocked down the back end of two free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining in regulation to lift Penn State Brandywine past the Widener University women's basketball team by a 63-62 score at the Brandywine Commons Athletic Center on Wednesday evening.
The Nittany Lions first had an opportunity to break a 62-62 tie with 21 seconds left and the game and shot clock just five seconds apart, but a charging foul was issued to a driving Nikki Velez which helped set up a bizarre and unexpected finish. After Widener's
Allison Gallagher (Souderton, Pa.) missed a potential game-winning shot at the other end, the junior was called for a foul while attempting to go for the ensuing loose ball as the final horn sounded. A total of 1.2 seconds was put back on the clock, and Abbonizio made her second free throw attempt to give the Nittany Lions the one-point victory.
Penn State Brandywine got off to a strong start and went ahead 9-5 when Velez canned a trifecta, but the Pride responded by finishing the quarter on a 14-5 run. Gallagher propelled the offensive attack by scoring eight points in the quarter, including the go-ahead layup, and the visitors led by a 19-14 lead score at the end of the first frame.
Widener padded its lead in the second frame, as Gallagher opened the scoring and Rimmer quickly extended the margin to twin figures at 26-16 by blitzing her way through traffic in the opening minutes. The Nittany Lions, however, clawed back and ended the half by scoring 10 of the final 12 points. Brandi James sank a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining, and Velez hit a buzzer-beating shot to make it 30-28 in favor of the Pride at the break.
In the third quarter, Widener managed to stay ahead for the entire time by finding success with the long ball. Gallagher drained a 3-pointer from the right side on the team's opening possession, and junior
Julia Venturelli (Bridgewater, N.J.) as well as freshman
Madison Ireland (Garnet Valley, Pa.) converted from beyond the arc to give the Pride a 42-35 advantage at the midway point of the frame. Venturelli then sank another shot from downtown as well as a long jumper from the top of the key to push the visitors ahead by a 49-40 score through 30 minutes of action.
Venturelli gave Widener its largest lead of the game at 54-40 by capitalizing on a Nittany Lion turnover, but the hosts answered back with 12 unanswered to create a one-possession game on another 3-pointer by Velez. The freshman stayed hot and gave the Nittany Lions their first lead by swishing a jumper to make it 60-58, but Gallagher converted a rare four-point play by draining a 3-pointer from the left arc and making the ensuing free throw to put the Pride back ahead by two with 2:01 left. The visitors, however, would be held scoreless the rest of the way and settled for the one-point loss in their final non-conference game of the season.
Gallagher registered her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career by scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead the way for Widener. Venturelli added 13 points, including 10 in the second half, as well as seven boards and three assists.
Penn State Brandywine (8-4) was paced by Velez's 26-point outburst. The freshman also contributed a game-high six steals. Brandi James had a double-double effort, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Chelsea Dent had a solid all-around game with 10 points, seven assists, and six boards to her credit.
Widener (4-9) will resume league play and compete against a nationally-ranked opponent on the road for the third time this season when it travels to face #24 Messiah on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m.
