Box Score WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Junior guard Danyelle Rodriguez (Willimantic) sank consecutive three-point field goals in the final minutes as the Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball team scored the final 13 points on the way to a 53-46 non-conference victory over Westfield State University Tuesday night at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.
At right: Danyelle Rodriguez warms up her three-point shot here in the first half before sinking the Owls late in the second. (Photo by Liam Murphy)
Rodriguez, who had attempted only one three-pointer previously this season, came off the bench to help Eastern (4-2) overcome an eight-point deficit midway through the second half. Sophomore forward Erin Brooks (Billerica, MA) pulled Eastern to within four points with an inside basket with 2:31 left that sent the Warriors on their game-ending 13-0 run. Brooks then stole the ball, and Rodriguez followed by taking passes from junior guard Kristina Forsman (Newington) and swishing consecutive three-point field goals around a missed Westfield (2-3) jumper to give Eastern the lead for good, 48-46, with 1:18 left.
Rodriguez, one of Eastern's top three-point threats two years ago before sitting out last year, came through with her clutch three-pointers against the Owls despite missing seven of her first eight tries behind the arc.
Brooks scored again off a steal and pass from sophomore forward Jill Ritrosky (Pittsfield, MA) to give Eastern a four-point edge, and Forsman stole a pass and soon after converted a pair of free throws to make it 52-46 inside the final 30 seconds.
A run of seven straight points in the second half – punctuated by Keri Doldoorian's three-point field goal – lifted the Owls into an eight-point lead with 11 minutes, but the Warriors responsed by outscoring the visitors by 15 points the rest of the way. On their final 20 possession following that eight-point lead, Westfield missed ten of 15 shots and turned the ball over five times.
In a balanced effort, Forsman led Eastern with 12 points, with Rodriguez and Ritrosky adding nine each, Brooks eight and freshman guard Jordyn Nappi (Southington) seven. Ritrosky had a game-high 12 rebounds, Brooks and junior forward Shannon McCourt (New Fairfield) eight each.The Warriors had nearly half their season total of 16 three-pointers with seven.
Westfield, which dropped its 21st straight to Eastern, got 14 points and seven rebounds from Doldoorian, Forbasaw Nkamebo matching Ritrosky with 12 rebounds.
Eastern sophomore guard Brianna Leonard (Amherst, MA) missed her first career game due to injury sustained Monday and was replaced in the lineup by junior guard Taylor McBride (Willimantic), who made her first start of the season. Brooks made her first start of the year, as well, second of her career.
Eastern hosts Amherst College Thursday at 7 p.m.
