Augustine Notches Double-Double As Women's Basketball Overcomes Deficit to Shock Bridgeport
Box Score BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Dec. 13, 2014) – Powered by a double-double and career-high 24 points from senior Tanayzha Augustine (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie), the Mercy College women's basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat the University of Bridgeport, 70-68, in an East Coast Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon at Hubbell Gym.
The Mavericks (7-2, 1-1 ECC) now have their most wins in a season since the 2008-09 season and snap a 16-game ECC losing streak, while the Purple Knights (1-6, 0-3 ECC) remain winless in league play and have dropped five in a row.
The home team got off to a strong start early, taking a 24-12 lead with 7:36 left in the first half before Mercy gradually began to cut into the deficit.
The Mavericks would go on a 10-1 run over the next three minutes to cut the Purple Knights lead to 25-22 with 4:17 left in the period after Augustine knocked down a jumper. Bridgeport increased the lead back up to six but helped by a pair of layups from senior Brandone Roberts (Jessup, Md./Nyack College) Mercy headed into the intermission only down four, 32-28.
Despite holding the home team to just 28.6 percent (12-for-42) shooting in the first half and shooting 36.4 percent (12-for-33) themselves, the Mavericks trailed the entire first half and were outrebounded 27-20, including 12-6 on the offensive glass. Mercy was effective at protecting the rim, finishing with eight blocks in the frame led by junior Deasia Goodson's (Freeport, N.Y./SUNYIT) four.
The second stanza saw Mercy continue its strong play as they cut the deficit to two, 34-32, less than two minutes into the half on a Goodson layup. However, the Purple Knights came right back and scored five unanswered to go up seven, 39-32, with 16:51 left.
Bridgeport would get the lead back to double figures at 48-38 at the 12:19 mark and it looked like the home team might pull away from the Mavericks. Mercy had other plans as they went on a 15-4 run over the next five minutes to take their first lead of the game, 53-52, on a trifecta by junior Tatiana Parish (Los Angeles, Calif./Mt. San Antonio CC) with seven minutes left to play.
The lead would be short lived as the Purple Knights responded with a triple from Jenna Hoffman to take the lead back. Mercy would retake the lead and build it to a game-high four points, 63-59, following a Goodson trey and Augustine jumper at the 2:48 mark. Bridgeport responded with five in a row to take back the lead before Roberts hit what turned out to be the game-winner with 1:06 left to play to put Mercy up for good at 65-64.
The Mavericks received free throws from junior Briana Rhett (New Rochelle, N.Y./Sullivan CC), freshman Casey Sullivan (East Lyme, Conn./Saint Bernard) and Augustine in the final minute to help finish off the comeback and send Mercy home victorious.
Mercy was able to complete the comeback despite junior Erin Copeland (Kansas City, Kan./Univ. of Illinois-Springfield) and Goodson both fouling out in the final minutes. The Mavericks outshot the Purple Knights once again in the second half and finished the day at 41.1 percent (23-for-56) shooting compared to 32.5 percent (25-for-77) for the home team. Mercy also outrebounded Bridgeport 23-13 in second half to finish with a 47-44 overall edge on the glass and had 18 assists on 23 made field goals. The Mavericks also finished with a season-high 11 blocks led by a season-high five from Goodson and held on despite the Purple Knights hitting on nine trifectas on the day.
Augustine finished with her fourth double-double of the season, securing 10 boards and going 9-for-16 from the field and 6-for-8 from the line. Roberts ended with 16 points and nine rebounds on 5-for-6 shooting from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 day at the line. Goodson concluded the afternoon with eight points and Copeland added six points and a game-high-tying seven assists.
Bridgeport was led by Hoffman who had a game-high 27 points connecting on seven threes on the day.
Head Coach Rashidi Aikens and the Mavericks look to continue their strong play as they travel to ECC foe Molloy College for a 6 p.m. tip on Wednesday, December 17th.
