The women's basketball team will be playing in their first regional championship after defeating Mount Saint Mary College 65-59 in OT on Saturday in Washington, DC.

The Bearcats will play Ramapo College in the ECAC Division III Championship on Sunday at Noon at weekend host Gallaudet University.

Neither team shot the ball well today, but the Bearcats made timely baskets to lead 24-19 at halftime and 34-26 after the third quarter.

They started the fourth quarter strong leading 42-28 with 7:31 left.

The Blue Knights, who entered the semi-final 18-8 overall and a 17-3 record (third place) out of the Skyline Conference, went on a furious late rally with a 16-2 run to tie the game at 44-44 with 26 seconds left. They had final possession and a chance to win but D'Andre McRae blocked a last-second shot to force overtime.

The overtime did not start well with the Blue Knights scoring the first four points, but the Bearcats never lost their composure as the NCAA Division III's top scorer Mia Castillo took over scoring two free throws and later hit a jumper for a 50-49 advantage with 3:00 left.

Brianna Lopez hit two free throws and Elissa Leung followed connecting on three-of-four free three throws in the final 55 seconds to seal the 55-49 victory.

Basically, the Bearcats finished the game scoring 10 of the last 11 points and used solid defense for the impressive, pressure-filled victory on the neutral court at Gallaudet.

Castillo led the way with a double-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Elissa Leung had 19 points, while finished with eight points, 13 rebounds, and four significant blocks to send the Bearcats to the Championship game on Sunday. 



   



 





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