Women’s Basketball Falls to Bryant & Stratton College In Final Seconds, 72-71

November 21, 2024 - - The Lorain County Community College women's basketball team lost to Bryant & Stratton College Wednesday evening by the slimmest of margins, 72-71. 

LCCC (3-3, 0-1) used a furious comeback in the fourth quarter to briefly take the lead but the Bobcats regrouped to take the lead with two free throws in the final seconds to get the win.

The Commodores trailed by as much as 15 with over eight minutes left in the first half but inched their way back in the second quarter using a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to four points at the break.

With just under nine left to play in the game, the Commodores trailed by 10, 53-43.  That's when they started to chip away. Allison Jones hit a baseline jumper and then Helayna Houston (LaGrange, Ohio/Keystone HS) fed Chloe Meng (Elyria, Ohio/First Baptist Christian HS) for a three-pointer which cut the lead in half. 

A few possessions later, Michelle Echevarria (Ponce, Puerto Rico/Lehigh HS) hit a shot from long distance and Abbey Schmitz (Amherst, Ohio/Firelands HS) scored while being fouled to cut the Bobcat lead to a single possession. Echevarria hit another three two possessions later on a feed by Ally Winnen (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria Catholic HS) and the game was tied.

Then it was Winnen's turn to score, Echevarria found her underneath the basket and Winnen was fouled on the lay up to put the Commodores up 60-57 with 4:52 left in the contest.

Winnen would come through again on another and-1 basket to pull the Commodores out of a cold spell that lasted nearly three minutes down the stretch in the fourth. Winnen also had a put back with 10 seconds remaining to pull LCCC within one point. After Chloe Meng was fouled on the next Commodore possession, she missed her second free throw and Winnen was there for the rebound, the put back, and the and-1 off the foul to put LCCC up, 71-70.

After Winnen missed the free throw, the Bobcats got to the line after getting fouled with 3.7 seconds remaining.  They sank both free throws to go up 72-71 and LCCC's three point attempt at the buzzer fell short.

Winnen finished with her third game of 20 rebounds or more to go along with her 19 points.  Schmitz scored 15 with five rebounds, six assists, and two steals.  Michelle Echevarria got her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Chloe Meng score 16 points going five-for-nine from deep. 

Next Up:

LCCC's next game will be on the road at Wheeling University to face their JV team Nov. 24, 2024.  Tip is at 2 pm.