First win of season for Wildcats Basketball
11.16.2008 —Falcon Tip-Off Classic
LONGMEADOW, MA—Bay Path College junior and first-year guard Ashley Cimmino of Westfield hit the buzzer-beater to propel the Wildcats to the Consolation victory 57-56 over the Lancaster Bible College Chargers (Lancaster, PA) in the First Annual Falcon Tip-Off Classic on November 16, 2008. The tournament was held at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA.
On day one of the Falcon Tip-Off Classic, Cedar Crest College defeated Lancaster Bible College (82-56), while Bay Path fell to Eastern University (72-28). Day two of the Classic saw the Wildcats defeat Lancaster Bible (57-56) in the consolation game, and host Cedar Crest winning the Tip-Off Classic over Eastern (83-75).
During the Consolation game, Cimmino scored 21 points en route to Bay Path’s first win in the 2008-2009 season. It was a hard fought battle that saw the lead change six times throughout the 40 minutes of play and knotted twice. Cimmino was 8-for-14 from the field and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.
The Chargers controlled the scoreboard from 12 minutes remaining to the final six seconds of regulation play. The Wildcats began to make their move with Bay Path junior and forward Jessica Hunt of Madison, CT, nailing a key jump shot and two free-throws to bring the score within two points. Lancaster Bible junior Kelly Long of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., made one shot from the line with 1:43 left on the clock to take control of the board by three points.
Cimmino answered back by hitting a jump shot at 1:27, off a key pass by teammate and junior guard Christina Calabrese of Hamilton, N.J., to bring the score within one point. Cimmino drove for the final bucket and scored the winning point of the game with six seconds left on the clock.
Hunt finished the game with 16 points and 15 rebounds, a game high. Bay Path junior and forward Kathleen Rodrigue of West Stewartstown, N.H., also tallied double figures, scoring 10 points. Calabrese finished with six points, six rebounds, and six assists.
In day one against the Eastern Eagles, Hunt led Bay Path with eight points, six rebounds and four blocks. Cimmino added seven points and eight rebounds.
Cedar Crest freshman Elizabeth Sunderhaus of Hamilton, Ohio was named the tournament MVP after scoring 31 points and making seven steals in Cedar Crest’s win over Lancaster Bible College, and for her outstanding performance in the championship game. Other members of the All-Tournament Team were: Bay Path’s Cimmino, Cedar Crest junior Kelly Oakes of Wilmington, DE, Eastern freshman Bekah Roland of Manheim, PA, Lancaster Bible junior Kelly Long of Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
Cedar Crest improved to 2-0 on the season, while Bay Path and Eastern are 1-1 overall and Lancaster Bible fell to 0-2 on the year. The Wildcats will be back in action on Wednesday, November 19, during their season home opener against Albertus Magnus College. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
