By Michael Domagala
Assistant Sports Editor
The number one seed women’s basketball team was defeated the number four seed New York Institute of Technology in the final seconds of the ECC Semi finals on March 3.
NYIT’s, Maia Hood, grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the game-winning layup with 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock, leading NYIT to the 80-78 victory. The win secured the Bears a spot in the championship game.
The Pioneers scored a season-high 31 points in the first quarter and had a 45-29 halftime lead over NYIT. Despite the 16-point advantage, the Bears clawed their way back eventually leading to their victory.
Sophomore sports broadcasting major, Mikaiya Moore, led all scorers with 19 points, four rebounds and three assists on 9-of-13 shooting. Senior political science major, Sasha Patterson, extended
her double-double streak to six games with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Along with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists from sophomore physical education major, Taylah Hudson.
“We definitely learned that we can not take any team for granted,” Moore said. “Just because we were the number one seed doesn’t mean the championship was going to be handed to us.”
Despite the loss, the Pioneers’ season has been extended with a berth in the 2018 NCAA Division II Tournament announced during the NCAA selection show on March 4. Now the number six seed in the East Region, the Pioneers will battle number three seed University of the Sciences at Stonehill College on Friday, March 9 at 12 p.m. in Easton, Mass.
The Pioneers’ 22-7 overall record (17-1 in conference play) is double the number of wins last season. It will be the team’s fifth appearance in the 64-team tournament in the last 10 seasons and the first since 2013-14, when the Pioneers reached the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual national Champion Bentley University.
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