FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top-seeded Emmanuel College barely survived fourth-seeded Suffolk University, 66-65, at home on Thursday night in the 2015 GNAC Women's Basketball Tournament semifinals, as the Saints will not host third-seeded Johnson & Wales University on Saturday afternoon (1:00 p.m.) for the GNAC title at the Jean Yawkey Center.
Johnson & Wales cemented its sport in the championship contest after it went on the road Tuesday to take down second-seeded Norwich University, 73-65, on Thursday night.
Be sure to follow the GNAC on Twitter (@TheGNAC) for in-game updates on Saturday. The game will be streamed online at no cost at gnac.ezstream.com.
#1 EMMANUEL 66, #4 SUFFOLK 65
BOSTON, Mass. – After Emmanuel scored five straight points with under three minutes left to turn a one-point deficit into a 65-61 lead, visiting Suffolk got a pair of free throws from senior Tori Brillaud and a jumper with 30 seconds left by senior Iliana Quadri to tie it at 65-65. But Rams senior Shelby Santini was called four a foul with less than 10 seconds remaining, which allowed Emmanuel junior Sarah Higgins to sink 1-of-2 at the free throw line for the one-point win.
The Rams fell on the road despite outshooting the Saints, 45.7 percent to just 36.2 percent.
Emmanuel freshman Karlee Alves had a team-high 14 points and five boards in just 18 minutes off the bench. Higgins and sophomore Jen Chalk chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the victory.
Iliana Quadri had a game-high 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Santini registered 15 points and six rebounds. Also in the losing effort, Rams junior Allesandra Quadri had 12 points and six rebounds and Brillaud had six points and a game-high 12 boards.
#3 JOHNSON & WALES 74, #2 NORWICH 65
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The host Cadets nearly overcame a 12-point deficit at halftime, outscoring Johnson & Wales by three in the second, but ultimately a game-high 26 points from Norwich senior Aliah Curry was not enough at home on Thursday evening.
Curry poured in her 26 on 9-of-27 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and five assists, but Johnson & Wales sophomore Bobbie Whitehead (pictured) finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds to help earn the Wildcats a spot in the GNAC title contest.
JWU freshman Ashley Thompson also double-doubled in the victory, totaling 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the victory, while fellow rookie Raquel Pederzani had 15 points, three assists and four steals for the Wildcats.
Norwich sophomore Heather LeBlanc registered 16 points and 10 boards.
Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, Feb. 24 | RECAP
#1 Emmanuel 77, #8 Albertus Magnus 52 | BOX | PROGRAM
#4 Suffolk 60, #5 Rivier 45 | BOX | PROGRAM
#3 Johnson & Wales 70, #6 Saint Joseph's (Maine) 62 | BOX | PROGRAM
#2 Norwich 68, #7 Anna Maria 51 | BOX | PROGRAM
Semifinals - Thursday, Feb. 26
#1 Emmanuel 66, #4 Suffolk 65 | BOX | PROGRAM
#3 Johnson & Wales 74, #2 Norwich 65 | BOX | PROGRAM
Championship - Saturday, Feb. 28
#3 Johnson & Wales #1 Emmanuel - 1:00 p.m.
– #theGNAC –