Add yet another first to Haverford’s growing season of firsts.
In their first foray into the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament, the Fords claimed their first win with a 53-48 come-from-behind victory over Rhode Island College Friday night at Ithaca.
The win sends Haverford (24-3) into Saturday’s second round against the winner of the game between the host Bombers and Regis.
Senior Nina Voith came up big again with 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. Jacquelyne Pizzuto added 12 points and two assists to help pace a balanced attack in which six players scored at least five points.
However, it wasn’t easy. The Fords railed 25-22 at halftime and by as many as seven twice in the second half before putting together a rally to remember.
The Anchormen (20-9) appeared to be in control when Stephanie Prusko drilled a 3-pointer to give RIC a 35-28 lead with 13 minutes to go in the game. Then Haverford turned up the defensive pressure. The Fords forced nine turnovers in the second half, four in the final five minutes.
And then Pizzuto and Elizabeth Lynch gave the Haverford offense a boost. Pizzuto scored all 10 of her second-half points after the Anchormen took their last seven-point lead. Lynch scored all of her seven points in the final 13 minutes.
Pizzuto, Lynch and Shannon Smith (seven points, 11 rebounds) triggered a 12-4 run that put the Fords back in front, 40-39, on Lynch’s layup with 9:04 left in the game. It would be the last of six lead changes. Haverford shot 9-for-10 from the free throw line in the final 3:48 to hold off the Anchormen and add another first for the Fords.
