Jenna Kaufman's put back with 4.5 seconds to play was the game winning basket in a thrilling 79-78 come from behind win at Gannon on Monday evening. Kaufman rebounded a missed three pointer and her layin was the difference in the game. Seton Hill improves to 11-4 overall and 6-3 in PSAC play.
Seton Hill overcame a 26-11 Gannon advantage in free throws attempted and a 22-9 margin in free throws made in the win.
The Griffins attempted 71 field goals in the game to just 46 for the Knights. Gannon finished the game shooting 58% from the floor after hitting fourteen straight field goals over nearly a twenty minute stretch from the first quarter to the third quarter. The Knights were 9-9 from the field in the second quarter.
Seton Hill jumped out to a 12-7 lead just under four minutes into the contest on eight points from
Alexandra Hay. Back to back jumpers from Kaufman extended the lead to 14-9 with 5:51 to play. After the Knights got back to within one point,
Lindsey Mifsud drained a three to push the lead to 19-15.
Halie Torris answered a Knights three with a three of her own at the first quarter buzzer, giving the Griffins a 22-21 lead.
Cheyenne Trest gave the Griffins a 29-27 lead with just over six minutes to play in the first half, that would be the last Griffins lead until Kaufman's game winner. The Griffins got to back within two on two free throws from Kaufman but the Knights extended their lead to 44-36 at the half.
Mifsud opened the second half with a three pointer but the Knights were able to push their lead to 52-43 with with 6:53 left in the quarter. With the Knights leading by ten, SHU went on an 8-0 run to trim the lead to 58-56 with 3:52 to play in the quarter. Gannon responded with a 7-0 run to close out the quarter and take a 65-56 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Griffins came out of the gates fast in the fourth quarter, opening the quarter on an 7-0 run to cut the lead to 65-63. Kaufman hit a jumper, Mifsud followed with a three and
Courtney Cecere hit two free throws in the run. Mifsud's three cut the lead to one at 67-66 with just over seven minutes to play. The Knights responded with four straight to build their lead back to 71-66 with 4:42 left. Two Knights free throws extended the lead to 75-69 with 2:54 to play. Hay then drained back to back three pointers to tie the game at 75 with just over two minutes to play.
After a defensive stop, Kaufman put back her own miss to give SHU a 77-75 lead with 1:23 to play. Gannon answered right back with a three pointer to take a 78-77 lead. SHU missed a three pointer on their next possession but got a huge defensive stand taking a charge with 30 seconds to play. Kaufman then rebounded a missed three and her put back was good with 4.5 seconds to play, giving SHU a 79-78 lead. The Knights took a timeout and advanced the ball but the Griffins got the one final defensive stop for the win.
Kaufman led the Griffins with a game high 26 points. Hay finished with 16 points on four three pointers. Mifsud scored 14 points on four threes in a homecoming contest for herself. Trest was the fourth Griffins in double figures with 11 points. She also added 6 assists.
SHU will return to Erie on Wednesday evening when they take on Mercyhurst.
