Davidson Drops Tough One to Monmouth, 46-43, on Clutch Last-Second Shot

Saturday, November 28

Wilmington, N.C.

1 p.m.

Davidson College

Monmouth

Senior Julia Paquette led the team for the fourth time this year in rebounds with a game-high nine.

Photo by: Sideline Sports

Davidson Drops Tough One to Monmouth, 46-43, on Clutch Last-Second Shot

11/28/2009 4:26:39 PM | Women's Basketball

Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Monmouth's Gabby Singer scored the Hawk's last six points, including a clutch three-pointer with 24 seconds left in the game, as Davidson fell in a hard-fought battle to the end, 46-43, in the consolation game of the UNCW Hampton Inn Invitational on the campus of UNC Wilmington Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats looked to be heading to their first win of the season after taking the lead at the 6:30 mark in the first half and holding it the majority of the second half, despite hitting a long cold spell on offense in the second period. They went nearly 10 minutes in-between field goals to start the period and were held to just 15 points overall. Davidson's defense helped keep the lead though, forcing 13 turnovers and holding the Hawks to 25 percent shooting in the half.

It was a struggle for both teams to open the second half as they combined for just six points through the first nine and half minutes.

Monmouth chipped away though, and took over the lead when Singer hit two free throws with 2:35 left in the game for a 42-41 Hawk lead. The 'Cats quickly responded on its next possession with a fastbreak layup from senior Alex Thompson (Asheville, N.C.) to go back up one, 43-42.

Davidson then had a chance to add to its lead on its next two possessions, but missed a layup and a three-pointer, setting up Singer's go-ahead trey.

Calling their last timeout with 35 second left, the Hawks ran a set play that had Singer spot up for an open look on the left wing and she nailed it making the score 45-43 with just 24 ticks remaining. Davidson quickly called a timeout of their own to set up a play, but were never able to get a look on offense as the 'Cats turned the ball over, forcing them to foul.

Singer hit the first free throw, but missed the second, giving Davidson (0-6) one last chance to send its game into overtime for the second straight day. Barbara Sitton (Richmond, Va.) brought the ball down and got it to Thompson, the Wildcats' all-time leading three-point shooter, who drove to the far baseline, and with two Hawks' in her face, raised up for a shot from three-land, only to see it hit the side of the rim as time expired.

Singer was one of three Hawks (2-3) to reach double digits in points, getting 11 to match Alexis Canady for team-high honors. Alysha Womack was the third Hawk with 10 points.

Davidson's freshman Sarah Davis (St. Clair, Mich.) paced the Wildcats as she had a strong first half, netting 12 of her game-high 14 points, a personal-best, in the half. The forward was instrumental in helping the Wildcats overcome a 13-4 deficit early in the first half.

For her efforts over the weekend, the freshman was named to the 2009 UNCW-Hampton Inn Invitational All-Tournament Team. Davis finished with two-day totals of 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including her first career three-pointer, and eight rebounds.

After Monmouth's Carly Thiebault nailed two of three free throws on the backend of back-to-back three-pointers by the Hawks for a 13-4 lead eight minutes into the game, Davidson buckled down and held the Hawks to just two points over the next six minutes.

In the meantime, Davis and the 'Cats got busy on the offense side by rattling off a 16-2 run to grab a 20-15 advantage at the 6:03 mark. The freshman was the main force behind the outburst, going off for eight straight points during part of the stretch and finishing with 10 overall during the run.

Sitton capped off the spurt with a putback off a missed free throw and Monmouth was forced to burn a timeout.

Davidson went on to shot 54.5 percent (12-22), a season-best in the first half for the Wildcats, and were up 28-24 at halftime.

Davidson will close out the month of November by opening up Southern Conference play on Monday, Nov. 30, at Furman for a 7 p.m. game.

Game Notes: Today's game was the first between both schools ... this was the 14th in-season tourney the 'Cats have played during head coach Annette Watts' nine-year tenure ... they have gone 14-17 in those tournaments ... Davidson outscored Monmouth, 28-12, in the paint ... Sitton had two-day tournament totals of 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and eight steals ... The Wildcats last started 0-6 in the 1999-2000 season ... this was the second time the Wildcats have played at a tournament hosted by UNC Wilmington.

2009 UNCW-Hampton Inn Invitational All-Tournament Team
Alysha Womack – Monmouth
Sarah Davis – Davidson
Martha White – UNC Wilmington
Brittany Blackwell – UNC Wilmington
Samantha Pollino – Duquesne

MVP- Alex Gensler – Duquesne