Women's Hoops: Rookie AMCATS Nearly Rally Past Pride

PAXTON, MA: The Anna Maria College women's basketball team lost 63-62 to visiting Regis College on Thursday evening in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action at the Fuller Center in Paxton.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Thursday, January 20, 2022
• Score: Regis 63, Anna Maria 62
• Records: Pride of Regis 4-6, 3-1 GNAC | AMCATS of Anna Maria 2-10, 1-5 GNAC
  

THE GAME WAS DECIDED WHEN:

• Down 25-9 after the first quarter, the AMCATS spent the rest of the game slowly chipping away at the Prides' lead, facing multiple double-digit deficits and each time refusing to go away. Down eight with 3:46 to go in the game, Anna Maria freshman forward Marinique Reddin (Tampa, FL) was fouled on a made jumper and converted for a three-point play. On the very next play, Anna Maria senior guard Ashley Rufo (Pittsfield, MA) stole the ball and drew the foul, burying two more free throws to pull the AMCATS to within three at 58-55. Down six with 1:23 to go, it was again Reddin, the rookie, who buried a three-point shot to keep the game within reach. Still down three with 20 seconds left, Anna Maria freshman center Megan Burdett (Charlton, MA) made one-of-two free throws to pull the home team to within two for the first time since the opening moments of the game. But Regis sophomore guard Courtney Doherty (Wilimantic, CT) drew the foul to put the game out of reach. Three free throws by Redding with 0.2 seconds left the AMCATS one point short.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reddin overcame a slow start to score a career-high 22 points, making a career-best three three-pointers to go along with seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
• Anna Maria sophomore guard Chloe Giordano (Goffstown, NH) carried the AMCATS for much of the game, scoring a career-high 19 points with four steals.
• Rufo added 11 points and three steals while Anna Maria senior guard Julitza Delgado (Southbridge, MA) chipped in with four points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
• Regis senior forward Arie Searcy (Santa Rosa, CA) led the Pride with 15 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals. Doherty scored a team-high 18 points with seven boards while junior forward Olivia Pacheco (Waterford, CT) added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

UP NEXT:

Anna Maria will be back on the court on Monday when they play host to Norwich in a 5:00 p.m. game.

STAY CONNECTED:

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