SELINSGROVE, PA - The Susquehanna University Women's Basketball won their third straight game to start the season, defeating William Paterson in their opening round game of the Yvonne Young Esworthy Memorial Tournament. The team came back from a 10-point deficit with just over two minutes to go in the third quarter, and were trailing by eight points with 3:20 in regulation, winning by a final score of 59-56.

The first quarter saw a strong start for the River Hawks, as they were able to build a five point advantage heading into the second quarter. The second quarter, however, would not be kind to the Susquehanna offense, as they shot 2-11 from the floor, allowing the Pioneers to take a 27-25 lead into halftime. Despite the struggles from the floor in the period, strong free throw shooting allowed the River Hawks to stay in the game, as they knocked down five of six attempts in the quarter. 

Susquehanna was able to shake off their shooting slump in the third quarter, knocking down 42% of their shots, but turned the ball over six times, allowing William Paterson to lead by as much as 10. The River Hawks were able to trim the opposition's lead to four to end the quarter, as Kenzie Selvaggi knocked in a layup just before the buzzer sounded to make the score 42-38 Pioneers. 

The fourth quarter proved to be an exciting period of play, as Susquehanna battled back from an eight point deficit with 3:20 left in the game, finishing the game on an 11-0 run. The run began with leading scorer Erin McQuillen, who knocked down her second three of the game to trim the deficit to five points with just over three minutes to go. At the 1:48 mark, after a Susquehanna turnover, Megan Emlet came up with a huge steal, taking the ball away from the Pioneers in the half court. The steal lead to two McQuillen free throws, bring the score to a one possession game.

After the made free throws, Emlet once again came up with a huge steal, snatching the ball away from the offense on the inbounds play. The extra possession led to a free throw from Sadie Comfort, trimming the lead once more, this time to two points. After a miss from William Paterson, Amalia Esposito cashed in her only field goal of the night, while drawing a foul in the process, to give herself a chance at an old-fashioned three-point play. The senior forward knocked down the free throw, giving Susquehanna their first lead since 2:34 in the second quarter, with 1:07 to go in regulation. 

The waning seconds of the game saw some strong defense from the River Hawks as they forced a turnover to regain possession. After a missed Susquehanna three-pointer, the Pioneers missed two shots in the paint, sending Esposito to the line once more. The trip extended the lead to 58-56, as Esposito split the attempts on the trip. 

On the ensuing possession, the River Hawks fouled a Pioneer, sending her to the line with two seconds to go and a chance to tie the game. With the game on the line, William Paterson missed two free throws, and Esposito secured the rebound on the second miss. Comfort was sent to the line and made one of her two free throws with half a second left on the clock. With a potential catch-and-shoot with time left on the clock, Susquehanna employed their full court press and forced another turnover, and Emlet once again came up with the steal, sealing the victory. 

McQuillen was the leading scorer for the River Hawks, dropping 14 points on 4-8 shooting. She also added four rebounds, an assist, and a block. Comfort recorded 13 points on 4-9 shooting, while Olivia Brandt added 10 points and seven rebounds. Esposito had eight points for Susquehanna and matched her career high of 14 rebounds, which she did twice in the 2019-20 season.

Up Next

• The River Hawks move on the Yvonne Young Esworthy Memorial Tournament to face the University of Mary Washington in the championship game at 3 p.m on Sunday, November 14th. UMW defeated Wesleyan University in the tournament's opening game by a final score of 72-69.

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