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RADNOR, Pa. – The fourth-seeded Cabrini women’s basketball team’s quest for a third consecutive Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) title was stopped short Tuesday night in Nerney Field House after Marissa DiStasio’s lay-in with three seconds remaining propelled fifth-seeded Centenary College to a 67-66 quarterfinal round victory.
The Cavaliers briefly went ahead, 66-65, with 11 seconds remaining after junior guard Julie Bonomo canned a 3-point field goal from the corner in front of the Cavaliers’ bench. However, the Cyclones quickly inbounded the ball, pushed it up the floor and found DiStasio slashing down the lane for the game-winning basket.
Senior point guard Deana DiAmico led the Cavaliers’ charge, scoring a season-high 26 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing five assists. DiAmico buried four 3-point field goals and shot 6-for-8 from the foul line.
Senior combo guard Alyssa Brady notched her team-best eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Brady shot 5-of-8 from the free throw stripe and added four assists.
Bonomo also reached double figures, tallying 10 points on 2-for-3 shooting from long range and a perfect 4-of-4 clip from the foul line.
Sophomore combo guard Laura Caron scored six points and claimed 11 rebounds, including five on offensive end. During one possession in the first half, Caron secured three offensive rebounds. Senior combo guard Kate Walck chipped in four points and eight boards.
The Cavaliers led out of the gates, 2-0, but did not play front-runner again until the final 11 seconds of regulation after Bonomo’s triple. Cabrini trailed by 15 points at one point in the first half and by three points at halftime, 36-33.
The Blue & White trimmed its deficit to one possession four times in the second half, but could not get over the hump. The Cyclones got critical baskets when they needed them down the stretch from sophomore guard Jen Vasta and senior guard Kristen Camuso.
Vasta led the Centenary attack with 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Camuso tallied 17 points and four assists. DiStasio finished with 10 points and 13 boards.
The loss could potentially mark the ends of the careers for Brady, DiAmico, Walck and senior forward Kasey Agostinacchio, each of whom played an integral role in this program’s back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 and 2009. The foursome has been part of 78 overall victories, including two in the CSAC title game, during their time with the Blue & White.
Cabrini (15-11) will learn if it received a bid to the ECAC Tournament Monday, March 1.