REGIS COLLEGE ADVANCES TO TCCC SEMIFINALS

Weston, Mass.—Regis College (18-8, 12-2 TCCC) shot a lowly 27 percent from the field in the first half, but would hold off Wentworth (8-5, 12-14 TCCC) to win its quarterfinal match-up 50-46 Tuesday evening.

Sophomore point guard Stephanie Crawford (Rockland, Mass.) was a key player in Regis’ victory. Crawford posted 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Pride.

Crawford had just seven points at intermission for the Pride on 3-of-6 (.500) shooting from the field. Neither team was exceptionally dominant on either side of the court.

Wentworth’s Michelle Fauci (Boxford, Mass.) posted eight first half points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field, but would finish with a game-high 15 points.

She shot 5-of-13 (.384) from the field, 2-of-4 (.500) from behind the three-point line, and 3-of-5 (.600) from the free-throw line. Teammate Ashley Conway (Danvers, Mass.) contributed 11 points, the only other Leopard to tally double figures in the game.

Kirsten Vallone (Avon, N.Y.) was on the edge of being a major factor for the Leopards. Vallone got into foul trouble early, limiting her time on the court. She had just 20 minutes for the night, posted seven points and six rebounds for Wentworth.

Three Pride players tallied double figures on a poor shooting night for Regis. Crawford and Meagan Tobin (Quincy, Mass.) each posted 11 points; Sarah McNult (Hampstead, N.H.) added 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Tuesday’s double-double was McNult’s fifth straight double-double, and her seventh in the Pride’s last eight games.

Wentworth began a legitimate attack on the Regis advantage when Jessie Coffey (Wakefield, R.I.) hit a game changing three-pointer with 8:30 remaining in the second half. Coffey’s three gave Wentworth its first lead outside of the first five minutes of the game. She finished with seven points on 3-of-7 shooting in 32 minutes.

Regis’ Jessica Page (Quincy, Mass.) would return fire, hitting two clutch free throws to tie the game. Wentworth again answered, this time Fauci would hit a three from the right wing with 6:15 remaining, giving the Leopards the 40-37 advantage.

Page again showed up, this time hitting a three-pointer. The basket would give Regis a two-point advantage.

Defensively both teams struggled. Regis shot just 27 percent (17-of-62) from the field for the game. Wentworth improved from the first half, shooting 38 percent (16-of-42) for the game.

The Leopards opened the game with a three-point lead over the Pride before Regis College would battle back to take a four-point lead.

Wentworth committed 21 turnovers to the Pride’s 14, and lost the rebound battle 38-25 for the game. Wentworth had just four offensive rebounds total Regis grabbed 15.

The win advances Regis College to the TCCC semifinals game Thursday, Feb. 24. Regis’ opponent had not been determined at the time of release. Thursday will be the first time in 10 years Regis College will have made a semifinals appearance.