Women’s Basketball concludes Nan Nichols Classic with narrow overtime loss to Fredonia

WOOSTER, Ohio --- Carlow University women's basketball lost 76-72 in overtime against Fredonia State University at the Nan Nichols Classic, hosted by The College of Wooster Saturday.

The Celtics recovered from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter and held the Blue Devils to seven points in the fourth to force the overtime period. Carlow missed just one free throw in the game but sent Fredonia to the line more often, where they scored 23 points.

Emma Aubrey (Bristol, Tenn./Sullivan East HS) sank five of Carlow's eight treys on the day – including one in the fourth quarter to force the overtime period – and led the Celtics with 17 points. She added three assists and a steal in the effort. Nina Cano (Greenville, Pa./Greenville HS/Grove City College) recorded a double-double 14 points and 12 rebounds. She also tallied both of Carlow's blocks, while Emiley Hillgartner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) went 6 for 7 from the foul line with 14 points and six steals. Sydney Carr (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) contributed 12 points, four assists and four steals.

Both teams scored 21 points apiece in the first quarter, with Carlow gaining a marginal lead several times throughout the second quarter. Fredonia outscored the Celtics 17-13 to take a 38-34 lead into halftime.

A jumper from Aubrey and a layup by Hillgartner right out of the gate tied the game 38-all in the third. A Blue Devils layup at 8:33 set off a 14-2 run that spanned over four minutes to give Fredonia a 12-point lead over the Celtics. The Blue Devils led Carlow 59-48 heading into the fourth quarter.

Carlow went on a 10-0 run within the span of three minutes, culminating with a free throw by Hillgartner that saw the Celtics trailing, 64-63, with two minutes remaining in regulation. Neither team would score for a minute and a half before the Blue Devils hit two free throws with 21 seconds on the clock. Aubrey pulled up and hit her signature three-pointer with 14 seconds remaining to tie the game at 66-all and force overtime.

A tip-in by Cano gave Carlow the lead, but Fredonia tied the game again with two free throws. The Blue Devils went ahead, 70-68, with a layup, and neither team would score until Emari Stinnette (Baltimore, Md./Randallstown HS) landed both free throws to tie the game at 70-all with a minute left in overtime. Both teams scored their final points at the foul line, with Fredonia coming out on top.

The Celtics scored 22 points off 18 Blue Devils turnovers, while Fredonia outrebounded Carlow 49-30 and outscored the Celtics 34-30 in the paint.

Grace Alexander scored a game-high 25 points and recorded three assists and two steals to lead the Blue Devils. Payton Gilbert added a double-double 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The College of Wooster announced an all-tournament team following the conclusion of today's games, with Carr earning a spot on the team for the Celtics.

Nan Nichols All-Tournament Team

• Most Valuable Player: Payton Gilbert – Fredonia
• Grace Alexander – Fredonia
• Ace Sturdivant – Wooster
• Mackenzie Riccitelli – Wooster
• Kelsey Seddon – Thiel
• Sydney Carr – Carlow

Carlow travels to Waynesburg University for a 7 p.m. game Nov. 15.