Swarthmore Wins Wild One Over Franklin and Marshall, 88-83 (2 OT)
LANCASTER, Pa. - Sophomore Genny Pezzola lit up the court on Saturday night draining eight 3-pointers for a career high 24 points to lead the Garnet (9-10, 6-8 CC) past Franklin & Marshall (8-11, 4-10 CC) in a wild 88-83 double-overtime victory. Pezzola sealed the deal in dramatic fashion with a three in the final two minutes of the second overtime. Senior Pam Costello tacked on four 3-pointers of her own for a season high 18 points.
Pezzola hit eight three-pointers - just one shy of the Centennial record.
The game between two teams battling for the final Centennial Conference playoff spot was about as wild of a game as you can imagine. Swat looked as if it was going to run away with the victory late in the second half, building a lead as large as nine points. But a huge Frnaklin & Marshall rally brought the Diplomats within three points (58-55) in the final possesion. With the second ticking away, F&M's Megan Pauley - who finished with a game-high 30 points - hit a fadeaway three at the buzzer to send the game into its first overtime.
In the first overtime, the Garnet built the lead as large as five before deja vu struck - F&M battled back to get within three points again with only seconds left to play, but this time, it was guard Beth Holt who hit a three with :04 seconds remaining to send the game into yet another overtime at 78-78
In the second overtime, the Diplomats came out swinging, connecting on a 3-pointer from Holt, giving F&M it's first and only lead of the game at 81-78. But Swarthmore quickly recovered and took a one point lead with three minutes to play. Then with 1:19 on the clock, Pezzola connected on her eighth and final three of the game to put the Garnet up by four . The Diplomats never recovered from the blow and the Garnet cruised to its second straight conference victory.
In a game that turned out to be a 3-point shootout between the Conference rivals; Swarthmore hit a season-high 15 of 28 three-point attempts and the Diplomats seven of 12. Pezzola ended up just one shot shy of the Conference single game record nine three-pointers. Swat has now combined for 25 three-pointers in its last two games.
Junior Kathryn Stockbower found her 59th career double-double late in the second overtime with 17 points and 10 rebounds, makring her 10th consecutive game with a double-double.
Junior Ceylan Bodur also finished with a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double game.
For Franklin & Marshall, Pauley (30) and Holt (26, 6 three-pointers) both recorded career-highs. Pauley and Holt combined for 70 percent of the Diplomats' points.
Swarthmore will attempt to keep its playoff hopes alive on Monday February 1st when McDaniel visits Tarble Pavilion. Action is slated to start at 7 PM.