Women’s Basketball Outlasts Wellesley, 55–52, in Overtime Saturday Afternoon

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Sophomore guard Nevaeh Yorke (Norwich, Conn.) recorded her fourth double-double of the season as the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team defeated Wellesley College, 55–52, in overtime Saturday afternoon during non-conference action inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium. With the win, the Blue Jays improved to 2–8 overall, while the Blue fell to 4–7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Wellesley jumped out to an early lead, taking a 12–5 advantage with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter. USJ answered by closing the period on an 8–0 run, fueled by four points apiece from sophomore guards Trinity Cruz (Windsor Locks, Conn.) and Ella Kulas (Cheshire, Conn.), to take a 13–12 lead into the second quarter.

The Blue responded to open the second, reclaiming the lead at 23–17 with 6:24 left in the half. Cruz cut the deficit to three with a three-pointer, but Wellesley continued to pull away, extending its lead to seven at 29–22 with 2:19 remaining. USJ closed the quarter strong once again, as sophomore guard Sequoia Turcotte Briggs (Andover, Conn.) drained a buzzer-beating three to cap an 8–2 run and pull the Blue Jays within one, 31–30, at the break.

Turcotte Briggs carried her momentum into the third quarter, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to give USJ a 36–33 lead at the 8:07 mark. Wellesley responded with a quick 4–0 spurt to regain the advantage, 39–38, but Yorke answered with four points of her own off consecutive steals that led to transition layups, putting the Blue Jays back in front, 42–39. The Blue, however, hit a late three to tie the game at 42–42 heading into the fourth quarter.

After a slow start to the fourth period by both teams, Turcotte Briggs buried another three to give USJ a 49–45 lead with 2:48 left in regulation. Wellesley answered with a 4–0 run to knot the score, and neither team could convert a late game-winner, sending the contest into overtime tied at 49–49.

Junior forward Kiatyanna Denmark (New Britain, Conn.) opened the scoring in the extra frame, and classmate Gjamory'a McTier (Palmer, Mass.) followed with a putback layup to give USJ a 53–51 lead with 2:28 remaining. Turcotte Briggs extended the margin to four with a pair of free throws, and the Blue Jays clamped down defensively, allowing just one made free throw the rest of the way to secure the 55–52 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Turcotte Briggs led the Blue Jays with 16 points and added a career- and team-high two blocks.

• Yorke posted her third straight double-double, finishing with 13 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. She also dished out a team-best eight assists and recorded four steals.

• Denmark made her first career start for the Blue Jays.

• USJ shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the floor, while Wellesley shot 33.9 percent (20-of-59).

• Wellesley held a slim 42–38 edge on the glass.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays continue a three-game homestand on Tuesday, January 6, welcoming Salve Regina University to the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium. Opening tip-off against the Seahawks is set for 1:00 p.m.

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