Holy Names University's women's basketball team defined the term "NEVER GIVE UP." As they gutted past the William Jessup Warriors in the last seconds of the game to win 56-55.
Throughout the majority of the match the HAWKS found themselves down. From the start William Jessup got off the first 3 points of the game with a field goal and 2 free throws all made by #21 Cassie Davidson a senior from Nevada City, California. HNU's sophomore, Soulijah Evans broke her team into the game making her first free throw. Senior, Danika Potestio followed making a field goal in the 16th minute. But WJU continued to go ahead of the Red and Black with #30 Maria Viola sinking two 3 point shots bringing the score to 15-5.
Evans finally broke the Warriors run hitting a field goal in the 10th minute. Despite several attempts HNU could not seem to get ahead. With the help of D. Potestio sinking a 3 point shot in the final minute of play prior to the half time buzzer the score stood at 23-25 Warriors up.
Entering the 2nd half, William Jessup came hitting the first basket. Evans quickly found her flow sinking a field goal that would tie the game up for the first time at 29 in the 17th minute. Both teams continued to shoot however, minute after minute HNU was edged out by the Warriors until junior, Britney Potestio hit a 3 point shot that put the Hawks ahead for the first time all night.
Again both team went back and forth. In the forth minute WJU's #12 would hit a field goal putting the Warriors up 50-49. D. Potestio would soon end their lead by sinking a 3 point shot. With 17 seconds left on the clock both teams remained knotted at 54.
Holy Names would foul WJU allowing the Warriors to sink one free throw placing the Blue ahead by 1 point (55-54). The crowd had faith that the Hawks would make their way back down the court giving them one more chance to sink a field goal. Shattering their faith the Hawks had a turn-over. Within seconds William Jessup had the ball however, unable to handle the pressure they allowed the ball to roll out of bounds.
With 2.6 seconds left on the clock, D. Potestio found herself on the other end of the court searching for an open teammate. She launched a baseball pass down the court to Annie Mahaney who was wide open past half court. Mahaney took two dribbles inside the 3 point line and got off a bank shot at the buzzer for the WIN.
William Jessup had three players hit two numbers in total points including; Maria Viola (15 points), Brittany Smith (12 points) and Cassie Davidson (18 points). Rebecca Morris would lead her team in rebounds totaling 11.
Holy Names had two player who hit double numbers in points Sarah Kilewer with 10 points and Soulijah Evans with 20. Brittany and Danika Potestio both hit 9 total points. Evans and Kilewer were knotted with 9 total rebounds. Brittany Potestio recorded 3 steals on the night.
The Hawks will play their next contest at Pacific Union on Saturday.