2-3 MBCvsAU

Basketball

2/3 Mary Baldwin Loses a Heartbreaker against Averett, 68-70

Squirrels hosted 2nd place Averett in a Game that Came Down to the Last Second

Mary Baldwin played a very tough Averett squad that is placed second overall in the USA South conference.  In an extremely fast paced first half Averett would not be able to contain the Mary Baldwin offensive attack.  Eight minutes into the game the Squirrels would widen the margin by 9, with the score being 17-8.  Averett would than go on to score 13 unanswered points, and take the lead 21-17 with 6:05 left in the half.  The Squirrels and the Cougars would trade baskets as no team could mount any sort of substantial lead.  At the end of the half the score read 31-32, Averett.  During the second half Averett continued to build a lead and for 7 minutes the Cougars would maintain an average 8-10 point lead over Mary Baldwin.  The squirrels would not be shut down on their home court. 

After the Squirrels continued to battle all half, Sabrina Desper would give Mary Baldwin the lead 65-64, with 1:07 left in the game.  The Cougars would respond with a three pointer the very next play and take back the lead with 53 seconds left.  Mary Baldwin would have to foul, but with 9 seconds left in the game Iiesha Ricks would make a jumper to bring the game back to a two point Averett lead 68-70.   Mary Baldwin was forced to foul again, and this time the Cougars missed their free throw shot.  With 7 seconds left to travel up the court and get off a shot, the ball ended up in Kara Hawkins hand. She released a three point shot and with 4 tenths of a second left, was fouled.  Mary Baldwin would not be able to convert on this opportunity and the Squirrels would fall short, 68-70.  The PAC erupted in noise, as everyone in attendance knew that this was very good Averett team.  The Mary Baldwin Squirrels proved once again that they can play with the best, which has got every team in the USA south keeping a close eye on the Squirrels.

Kara Hawkins led the Squirrels in scoring putting up 21 points.  She also added an amazing 15 rebounds and 3 blocks to her stats.  Sabrina Desper would score 14 points, while Ericka Brown would drop in 10. Iiesha Ricks would put in 9, including a very clutch 2 pointer nearing the games end.  Mary Baldwin will have a busy weekend hitting the road and facing Meredith on the 6th and Peace on the 7th. [Box]