Basketball Loses at Simmons, 66-63

BOSTON, Mass. – Liz Brasa (East Hartford, Conn.) had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Leah Davis (Cranston, R.I.) made four free throws in the final 20 seconds as the Simmons College women's basketball team upset the University of Saint Joseph 66-63 Saturday in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference game at the Holmes Sports Center.

USJ is 11-13 overall and 4-6 in the GNAC; Simmons improved to 3-17 overall and 1-8 in the conference.

Brianna Ferraro (Waterbury, Conn.) matched her career-high by scoring 23 points for the second consecutive game and has averaged 18 points over the past five games. Heather Framski (Prospect, Conn.) scored 13 points for USJ and Shauna Sullivan (Rocky Hill, Conn.) had eight points and 13 rebounds.

USJ trailed early at 10-8 when the Blue Jays had their best push of the game outscoring Simmons 12-1 to lead 20-11 after a jumper from Lindsey Dionne (Portland, Conn.) with 10:12 left in the half. The Sharks regained the momentum and took a 22-21 lead before a run of their own allowed Simmons to lead 38-30 at halftime.

The Blue Jays came back from a 10-point second-half deficit to get within two points on several occasions. But USJ couldn't quite get over the hump and in five possessions with the ball trailing by two points, had three missed shots and two turnovers.

A three-pointer by Devon Diliberto (Waterbury. Conn.) pulled the Blue Jays within 61-60 with 22 seconds to play. Davis made two free throws for Simmons with 20 seconds left and Ferraro made two for St Joseph and again USJ was within one at 63-62 with 14 seconds remaining. But Davis made two more with 10 ticks left and USJ came up short in its next possession.

St. Joseph plays at Albertus Magnus Tues. Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in a GNAC game. The Blue Jays play home on Senior Day against Johnson & Wales, Sat. Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.