Coast Guard Downs Basketball in OT, 73-66

Game Statistics | Senior Day Insert | Pink Zone Story

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Feb. 18, 2009) – Junior forward Melissa Martinelli racked up 26 points to power the Coast Guard Academy women’s basketball team to a thrilling 73-66 overtime victory over New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Mildred Howard Gymnasium. With the win, the Bears secured a season split versus the Lyons and clinched a spot in the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament.

Prior to the contest, Mount Holyoke guard Katie Austen was honored for her contributions to the program as part of a Senior Day celebration. The Lyons lone senior has appeared in 91 games over her career, starting 44 times. Over her four years, she has amassed 503 points, 149 assists, 102 steals and 18 blocked shots.

During tonight’s game, the Lyons partnered with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer through the “Pink Zone” initiative. “Pink Zone” is a global, unified effort for the WBCA nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. This year, over 1,250 schools and organizations are participating in the event, which was referred to as “Think Pink” in its first two years. Members of both teams sported pink shooting shirts and shoelaces, and proceeds from admission fees to the contest will be donated to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Pink ribbons were available for purchase, with the proceeds going to the fund as well. Fans were encouraged to wear pink and contribute to research initiatives. The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund is a 501 c(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against cancer through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause

After struggling to score just 36 points on a season low 24.4% shooting from the field against Mount Holyoke a month ago, Coast Guard knocked down a season high 53.3% (24-45) of its shots tonight. The Bears accumulated 18 assists on 24 made baskets and drained nine three pointers. Junior guard Sabrina Taylor knocked down four shots from beyond the arc en route to a career best 16 points. Meanwhile, classmate Leslie Hunt tallied ten points.

Four players reached double digits in the scoring column for Mount Holyoke, which converted 41.8% (28-67) of its attempts from the floor and outrebounded the guests 37-31. The Lyons made just 17.4% (4-23) of their tries from three point range. Junior center Kate Shafir exploded for a career best 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. She was joined in double figures by Austen, junior guard Erin Cain and first year forward Tricia Chase, who finished with 17, 14 and ten points, respectively. Cain and Chase pulled down nine boards apiece, while Austen dished out five assists.

Coast Guard sizzled out of the gate, making its first six shots en route to a 16-10 advantage at the 11:40 mark of the opening frame. Taylor nailed three of the Bears four three pointers during that stretch. Mount Holyoke responded with a 22-7 run over the next eight minutes to open up a 32-23 lead. The Lyons took a 34-28 edge into the locker room. Taylor and Shafir recorded 13 points apiece before the break.

A jumper by Shafir in the early stages of the second stanza put Mount Holyoke in front 38-30. Refusing to go away, Coast Guard erupted for a 14-4 run to gain a 44-42 edge at the 10:55 mark. Sophomore guard Jessica Anderson knocked down two of the Bears three trifectas to key the rally.

Coast Guard registered five straight points to open up a 56-51 advantage with 5:20 remaining in regulation. The Bears enjoyed a 60-54 cushion at the 2:25 mark, but Mount Holyoke scored the final six points of the second period to send the contest to overtime. Following a free throw by Cain, Austen came up with a steal and a layin to slice the deficit to 60-57. Shafir then netted a three pointer with 2.4 seconds on the clock to force the extra session. Martinelli tallied 13 points in the second half. Austen had ten for the hosts.

Despite Mount Holyoke’s late rally, Coast Guard pulled away in overtime. The Bears outscored the Lyons 13-6 to seal the win. Martinelli highlighted the extra session with a conventional three point play, which put her team in front 65-60. She finished with five overtime points.

Both squads will put the finishing touches on their regular season schedules on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Mount Holyoke (7-17, 4-8 NEWMAC) will visit Babson College, while Coast Guard (5-19, 4-8 NEWMAC) will travel to Springfield College. The NEWMAC Tournament is slated to begin on Wednesday, February 25 at yet to be determined locations.

The Mount Holyoke basketball team participated in the WBCA's "Pink Zone" initiative at this evening's contest. In addition, Katie Austen (front row, center) was honored prior to the game during Senior Day festivities.