WORCESTER, Mass. – After trailing by double-digits twice, the Assumption University women's basketball team rallied to punch their ticket to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, as the Greyhounds defeated Jefferson University 62-57 in the Sweet Sixteen Monday evening in Laska Gymnasium.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 62, Thomas Jefferson University 57
Records: Greyhounds (27-5, 16-4 NE10), Rams (28-5, 16-1 CACC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game tipped off in Laska Gymnasium, and it was all Thomas Jefferson University as they started the game on an 11-0 run, and Assumption did not score for the first 6:58 minutes of action. The hosts got on the scoreboard with a Teagen Curran three, which prompted a small run from the Greyhounds. Curran scored again with a driving layup followed by an Amanda Mieczkowsi three, ending the first quarter with Jefferson leading 15-8.
While the Greyhounds looked more like themselves in the second quarter, it was still difficult to catch up to Jefferson. Morgan Robinson helped maintain the momentum for the Rams, as her jumper at 7:55 was good, which put her up to eight points and gave Jefferson a five-point lead. Curran continued her impressive play off the bench with a driving layup at 4:59 with an assist from
Olivia Found, who also provided good minutes off the bench. Found three-ball at 1:30 was matched by Emily Keehfuss with 29 seconds remaining, which pushed the Rams into the break with a six-point advantage.
The second half ended up being one for the ages for Assumption. Jefferson continued to push hard, going up by double-digits two minutes into the third quarter. However, Assumption switched to a zone defense, allowing more pressure on the Rams scorers. Curran continued to have the game of her life, knocking down another three-ball to cut the 13-point lead down to ten. Mieczkowski nailed another three of her own, cutting the lead to six going into the 4th quarter.
Since the 1:46 mark of the third quarter, the Assumption University Greyhounds posted their most crucial stretch of basketball all season, going on a 22-8 run to end the game. Curran rose to the occasion, banging another three. She tied it with a driving layup with 5:39 remaining, and eventually, Assumption had their first lead through Mieczkowski, who nailed a signature pull-up jumper at 3:29. It was the first moment the Greyhounds led in the game, and they didn't give it away again.
Molly Stokes and
Marina Callahan kept their composure and hit free throws to ice the game, and the unthinkable came true. For the first time in program history, led by the Regional Final MVP
Teagan Curran, the Assumption Greyhounds won their first Regional Championship in school history. They punched a ticket to the Elite Eight.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Teagan Curran had a game-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, and 4-of-7 from long range.
- Molly Stokes added 12 points, and Amanda Miezkowski chipped in ten points and five assists.
- Monica Spain had a near triple-double, registering eight points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks.
- Assumption's Teagan Curran was named the East Regional Most Valuable Player, while teammates Monica Spain and Molly Stokes were named to the All-Tournament team. Morgan Robinson and Haley Meinel were selected for Jefferson.
- Assumption controlled the glass, as they outrebounded Bentley 41-33 while outscoring the visitors 34-16 in the paint.
UP NEXT
- Assumption advances to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Jefferson, Missouri, at the St. Joseph Civic Center on Monday, March 20th.
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