Bailey’s Buzzer Beater Drives Women’s Basketball Past Merrimack

Trailing by a point with just seconds remain- ing, freshman forward Jasmine Bailey beat the buzzer with a layup that gave the women’s basketball team a 66-65 win over Merrimack on Saturday, Nov. 29, in North Andover, Mass. The Pioneers (3-1) are now on a three-game winning streak after suffering a season-opening loss to Adelphi.

Throughout the majority of the contest, the Green and Gold found themselves fighting an uphill battle against the Warriors, despite jumping out on an early 7-2 lead. After senior guard Chelsea Wil- liams hit a jumper with just over 15 minutes to go in the first half, Merrimack went on a 16-0 run to grab an 18-7 advantage with just over seven minutes to go in the half.

Later, Williams knocked down two free throws just before the half ended, and the Pioneers went into the break trailing 35-22. Williams and senior guard Ashley Castle led the way for LIU Post in the first half. Both guards scored six points apiece. Junior center Nyasia Davis recorded seven first-half rebounds. Senior guard Chloe Rothman paced the scoring for the Warriors with a team-best of 13 first- half points.

In the latter stanza, the Pioneers came out shooting as they tried to chip away at the deficit. Merrimack extended their lead to 14 (50-36) after Allison Wagner hit a three-pointer with 13:16 to go in regulation, but LIU Post would re- spond in a colossal way.

The Green and Gold answered with a 22-5 run to take a 58-55 lead with just over six minutes left in the contest. Bailey led the way during the spurt, scoring seven points. Junior guard Khea Gibbs add- ed five, while Williams netted four. Castle and junior guard Quanisha Ratley each added three points.

Both teams traded leads until Rothman gave Merrimack a 65-64 edge with just eight seconds remaining. Then, with time winding down, Castle missed a shot in the paint, but Bailey was there to gather the offensive board and sink the buzzer beater, giving the Pioneers the 66-65 win.