DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Ursinus College women's basketball team pulled out a 54-51 victory versus Maine Maritime in the Land of Magic Classic on Wednesday. Sophomore Kaci McNeave drained a 3-point bucket with 22 seconds left to put the Mariners away and seal the win.
Freshman Lydia Konstanzer paced the Bears (5-5) with a 14-point performance. Junior Rachel Guy joined her in double-digits with 11 points, senior Libby Lannon chipped in nine points, and McNeave finished with eight. Konstazer, Lannon, and McNeave each recorded six rebounds as well. McNeave, who hit the only two 3-pointers of the night for the Bears, handed out a career-high five assists while committing only one turnover and playing all 40 minutes.
The Ursinus defense held on late as the Mariners erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Bears forced 23 turnovers, scoring 21 points off of Maritime miscues. Lannon was a dynamo on the defensive end, recording what is believed to be a program record with nine steals; the Bears' co-captain is second in the Centennial Conference with 29 on the season.
The Bears won the battle of the boards, outrebounding their opponent 34-29.
Ursinus limited the Mariners to just 14 first half points, taking a 28-14 lead into the break. The advantage remained the same after both teams put up 11 points in the third quarter.
After Guy hit a pair of free throws, Maritime outscored the Bears 14-3 during a four minute stretch that brought the Ursinus lead down to just 47-44. Sophomore Brielle Clarke knocked down the first of two free throws before the Mariners followed with back-to-back layups to tie the game at 48 with just under two minutes remaining in regulation.
Guy connected on another shot at the line to regain the lead and on the ensuing possession Lannon came away with a steal that led to McNeave's triple. The Mariners tried to answer with a trey of their own, but were thwarted by the Bears. They did add another point on a foul shot with a second remaining, but Ursinus held on for the win.
The Bears will continue to soak up the sun in Daytona Beach as they take on Susquehanna in their final game of the Land of Magic Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 P.M.