ERIE, Pa. – Emily Dolsak scored the game-winning layup and Kaitlin McCarthy grabbed the rebound off a Behrend jumper with three seconds left to secure Westminster's 58-56 victory in the championship game of the Lions' Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday.
McCarthy earned MVP of the tournament, finishing with seven points and nine rebounds for the Titans (2-1). Teammate Emily Dolsak was also named to the All-Tournament Team with her 17 point-performance and eight boards.
Holly Bourquin and Aly Eagle represented Behrend (1-1) on the All-Tourney Team. Eagle knocked in two triples and went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to score a game-high 18 points. Bourquin chipped in 11 points on 50 percent shooting and pulled down a team-best seven rebounds.
In true championship style, both teams fought down to the last seconds of the game. The Lions clawed back from a 10-point deficit in the second half to get within three points at the 4:01 mark. Amy Oldach converted two free throws and Julia Myers worked inside the paint for two and then knocked in one from the line.
Katie Hughes' jumper and a free-throw put the visitors back up six points at 54-48.
Oldach sandwiched two sets of free throws between a Titans' layup from Sami Robinson to make it 56-52. The senior guard continued to hit the clutch shots from the charity stripe down the stretch, draining two more with 1:06 left to pull within two.
On the next Westminster possession, Dolsak grabbed the offensive rebound on McCarthy's shot and put it back in for a 58-54 lead. Kim Pol came down the court 10 seconds later and got her layup to fall with 35 ticks on the clock.
The Lions were able to get the ball back on a Titan missed layup, but could not get the equalizer to drop in the final seconds.
The first half saw the score tied six times, including the total at intermission. The largest lead held by any team was five points and by Westminster at 23-18 with 2:55 left to play.
Eagle scored the final seven points for the Lions and McCarthy hit a jumper with 12 seconds before halftime to tie the game at 25-all.
The Titans used a 16-4 run to start the second half to build a cushion that would help in the end. Westminster never trailed after the first bucket by Behrend in the final stanza.
The Titans shot 41 percent from the floor and held a 51-28 rebounding advantage, including 32-18 on the defensive side.
The Lions return to action on Saturday at Rochester. Game time is 2 p.m.
