CMS Women's Basketball Rallies For Late Lead, But Falls Short to Pacific 62-58

NEWBURG, Ore. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's basketball team rallied from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to take a one-point lead with 2:29 to go, but Pacific answered back and was able to escape with a 61-58 win over the Athenas on Sunday in a neutral site game played at George Fox.

Ariana Dalia put CMS ahead 56-55 with 2:29 on a three-pointer, capping a 9-0 run that gave CMS its first lead since 9-6 late in the first quarter. The Athenas followed with stops on the next two Pacific possessions, but couldn't extend the lead, and Brilie Kovaloff hit a three-pointer with 1:13 left to give the Boxers a two-point lead. 

After Pacific earned a stop, it milked the shot clock down and drew a foul with just 20 seconds left, converting both free throws to make it a four-point margin and CMS never got the ball back with a chance to tie. 

Down 52-42 with 8:24 to go, Dalia started to swing the momentum with a layup, and after Pacific split two at the line, Jacey Carter knocked down a three-pointer to make it a six-point game. With the deficit at six points, Ava Grey had a putback with 4:39 left, then grabbed a defensive rebound that led to a Dalia basket. After an exchange of stops, Dalia knocked down a three-pointer for a temporary CMS lead. 

Dalia ended up with 17 points, 16 of which came in the second half, and added 11 rebounds. Chong and Kayla Ishibashi each had eight points and Ruva Kiara had seven.

CMS will be back in action on Thursday for its home opener against Life Pacific on Thursday night at 7 p.m.