WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson women's basketball team scored eight points in the final 1:26 of the game to rally back from a three-point deficit to defeat Penn State Behrend 62-59 in the quarterfinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament on Wednesday night.
Chelsea Apke scored back-to-back baskets, including the go-ahead jumper with four seconds on the clock to help the Presidents (21-8) earn their second win over the Lions (17-11) this season and advance to the ECAC Semifinals. Apke finished with 17 points and Emily Abraham led all scorers with 20.
Holly Bourquin (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel), who got injured this season in the first meeting between the two teams, came back with a vengeance and dropped a season-best 23 points. Aly Eagle (Harmony, PA/Seneca Valley) added 15 points and three steals.
Down by seven at halftime, Behrend was able to regain the lead in the second half at the 12:19 mark. Julia Myers (Edinboro, PA/General McLane) registered her eight points of the game over this stretch and Bourquin tallied six points to put the Lions up 46-45.
An Abraham layup with 8:19 left tied the game for the second and last time at 49-all. Bourquin got two consecutive jumpers to fall in the paint for a 53-49 edge. From the 7:14, Behrend kept the lead up until the final seconds of the game.
When W&J got within one point, the Lions would answer with a bucket. Under two minutes, it was Bourquin with the answer on two occasions giving Behrend its final field goal at 1:09 to make it 59-56 Lions lead.
Apke made the first of two baskets with 40 seconds left to make it 59-58 and then another after the Presidents stopped the Lions on their next possession. Behrend had to foul to get the ball back with four seconds showing, but Kara Seamon made a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
Emily Detsch (St. Marys, PA/Elk County Catholic) was the third player in double figures with 10 points.
The Lions finish the season with a 17-11 overall record.