WESTMINSTER, Md. – The Dickinson women's basketball team got double-digits from the trio of
Clare Cronley,
Lizzie McGrath and
Victoria Zerbe en route to posting a heart-stopping 59-57 win over the nationally receiving votes and previously unbeaten McDaniel College inside the Gill Center in the Centennial Conference opener for both sides.
First Quarter
- Dickinson would find the first points of the game on a triple for Leah Dubin, before two Elaina Beckett layups made it 4-3 with two and a half gone.
- Consecutive buckets by Victoria Zerbe spaced a minute apart edged DC ahead 7-6, but a mid-range jumper from Teya McConnaha gave the hosts the lead back.
- Following scores for Emma Landes and Zerbe the Red and White took an 11-8, unfortunately, the hosts responded with an 11-0 outburst to go ahead 19-11.
- However, Dickinson captured some momentum going into the second period with Mia Chapman knocking home two foul shots and Lizzie McGrath hitting a triple from just inside the logo at the horn (19-15).
Second Quarter
- Beckett would be responsible for the opening three points of the frame, before Clare Cronley finished in the lane off a feed from Zerbe (22-17).
- Following a layup for Raegan Lenz, triples splashed home by Jelena Subasic and Cronley coupled with four points for Zerbe put the visitors back in front 27-26 with 5:13 left.
- A layup each from Carli Vogel and Beckett was answered with a long-range swish for Jessica Maina to level it up at 30-30 with 6:54 gone.
- The two sides combined to miss the final six shots of the frame to leave things tied heading into the break.
Third Quarter
- With two minutes off the clock the game was still locked up with McConnaha and Chapman scoring for their respective sides.
- Layups from Cronley and Zerbe were matched by a trey for Lauren Cavoli as well as a paint basket from Lenz to send the Green Terror on top by a slim 37-36 margin. However, a pair of Chapman free throws gave the Red and White the lead back 38-37 with just under six minutes remaining.
- A deep right corner three from McGrath along with two each by Cronley and Zerbe extended the Devils advantage to 45-37 with 7:24 gone.
- The Green Terror closed on a 7-4 push to get within 49-44 with a period to play.
Fourth Quarter
- Landes began things by splitting a pair at the charity line, before McConnaha picked up an "old-fashioned" three-point play to cut the deficit down to just three (50-47) with two minutes elapsed.
- During the next two minute window Cavoli and McGrath traded two foul shots to keep Dickinson clinging to a one-point margin at 52-51.
- A minute later McDaniel pulled themselves back to the lead when Beckett found a cutting Lenz for the finish making it 53-52 home side.
- The ensuing Devils possession, McGrath missed from deep but cleaned up her own miss to retake the lead. Landes then split two on the line to give DC the 55-53 edge with a minute left.
- Beckett finished inside to tie the game, but Cronley responded on their next trip down the floor making it 57-55. McConnaha was then unable to convert at the offensive end and a rebound for Chapman gave it back to DC sending McGrath to the stripe. She hit one of two pushing the gap to three (58-55) with 30.5 left prompting a McDaniel timeout.
- Out of the break Beckett once again connected with Lenz to get within one (58-57) inside of 25 seconds left. After Chapman missed two at the line, the Devils defense held strong and Addison Cadwell added one foul shot to close out the win (59-57).
Dickinson Top Performers
- Points - Zerbe (16), Cronley and McGrath (11)
- Rebounds - Chapman (9), Zerbe (8), McGrath (4)
- Assists - Zerbe (8), Cronley and McGrath (3)
- Steals - McGrath (2), Landes and Zerbe (1)
Opponent Top Performers
- Points - Beckett (17), Lenz (12), Cavoli (11)
- Rebounds - Lenz (10), Beckett (6)
- Assists - Beckett (5), Lenz and McLean (4)
- Steals - Cavoli (2)
Up Next
- Dickinson (4-3, 1-0 Centennial) goes back to non-conference play on Saturday afternoon at 2pm when they travel to the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
