Riverdale, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's women's basketball team were back on their home floor on Wednesday, taking on Manhattanville College for the second time this season. After losing the first contest on the road, the Dolphins were looking to show one of the conference's best what they are truly made of.
The Dolphins' defense started the first quarter strong, as they didn't allow a basket until the 5:10 mark while forcing five turnovers. Their offense matched their defensive success, with the team scoring on back-to-back possessions just two minutes into the game. From there, however, CMSV failed to put another ball into the basket until a Victoria Hanley offensive rebound and ensuing layup at 3:06. The Valiants then took their first lead of the game with 51 seconds remaining to make the game 7-6. Hanley regained the team's lead right back with a deep two-pointer to make it 8-7, but a late Manhattanville basket with seconds remaining gave them the lead going into the second quarter.
CMSV got the better of Manhattanville in the opening minutes of the second quarter, with the Dolphins outscoring the Valiants 6-3. The visitors would then go on an impressive run to close out the first half, scoring five consecutive points over a two minute span while shooting 43% from the floor, good enough to give them a two point lead going into the locker rooms.
The first half was highlighted by a strong performance from junior Aria Rheams, who registered eight rebounds and six points while shooting 50% from the floor. Hanley added six points of her own while Dar'Neisha Brice came off the bench and scored four points.
After a strong start to the third quarter for the Valiants, the Dolphins finally took back the lead when Leah Pinili drove hard to the basket and found Gabriela Goldman, who knocked down a three after standing all along in the corner. After Goldman knocked down another shot from beyond the arc in the ensuing possession, it was all Manhattanville. The opposition outscored CMSV by six to close out the quarter, which included back-to-back three over the final seconds.
The Dolphins entered the fourth quarter with renewed energy, scoring six points before Manhattanville could get on the board to make it a one point game. After CMSV forced two turnovers, it was Rheams' turn to knock down a big shot, as her first made three of the contest put her team up 44-42 with 5:11 left to play. After Manhattanville took the lead back and extended it to five points, Rheams hit one of two free throws and another three pointer to make it one point game with 1:02 left on the clock. The Valiants continued to score but it was Rheams who kept her team in the game. Her two clutch free throws kept the contest within one possession at the 37 second mark. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, late free throws by the Valiants were the difference, as they went on to win by the score of 56-52.
For the Dolphins, it was Rheams who led her team in both points (17) and rebounds (13), good for her third double double of the season. Hanley had her fingerprints all over the offense, as she contributed six points and a team-high four assists. Brice added 12 points and four boards off the bench while Kira Villegas added seven points and six rebounds.
CMSV (8-7, 6-5) will now set their sights on Purchase College, who they take on this coming Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 PM start time at Purchase.
