Leedham's Buzzer Beater Knocks Off Women's Basketball 66-64
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The American International College
women's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking a 66-64 decision to
Franklin Pierce Tuesday night on Senior Day. Sophomore
guard/forward Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port,
England) hit a running jumper as time expired to improve
the 19th-ranked Ravens record to 23-4 on the season and 18-4 in the
Northeast-10, while the Yellow Jackets dropped to 16-11 overall and
12-10 in conference play.
After trailing most of the game AIC made a come back, tying Franklin Pierce with 1:41 left on the clock. With eight seconds left, senior Alexis Castro (Chula Vista, Calif) was sent to the free throw line after drawing a foul. After missing both free throws, Raven junior Toby Martin (Wayne, Me.) came down with the rebound from Castro's second attempt. Martin quickly threw the ball down court to Leedham who ended the game hitting a jumper as the buzzer sounded.
In their final regular season home game, Castro, Mirlande Francois (Miami, Fla.), Alissa Rubino (Port Jefferson, N.Y.), and Molly Large (Lansing, Mich.) all contributed. Castro ended the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and a block in what was her 11th double-double of the season. Rubino finished with a career high 13 points and six assists on the night
Francois went 3-5 shooting with seven points, four rebounds, and a block. Junior Jeannette Johnathan (Central Islip, N.Y.) also added 12 points for the Yellow Jackets.
Leading the Raven's was Leedham, who finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot. Juniors Jennifer Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England) and Vanessa Power (Mildura, Australia) also contributed for Franklin Pierce, adding 15 and 13 points respectively.
AIC will host St. Rose in the first-round of the Northeast-10
tournament this Sunday at 2 p.m. The Yellow Jackets are seeded
fifth and the Golden Knights are the 12-seed.