The Husson Eagles women’s basketball team rallied in the second half on Sunday evening, but would fall short in a 61-53 loss to Hamline University in Naples, Florida as part of the Naples Shootout Tournament.
Hamline (6-3) built an early lead 17-5 after one quarter behind six points from Reilly Geistfeld. The Eagles shot just 2-17 from the floor in the opening 10 minutes. Husson (4-5) would only get as close as eight in the second quarter and trailed 30-14 at halftime. Hamline would continue to build the lead in the third going up by 23 at 41-18, but Husson tried for a late rally. Sydney Allen cut it to 55-49 with a three-pointer with 1:32 to go in the game, before the Pipers would extend the lead back to 10 to hold on down the stretch.
Former Hampden Academy standout in freshman Bailey Donovan continued to impress in her first season as an Eagle. Donovan filled up the stat sheet off the bench scoring 15 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and adding two assists, three steals, and three blocks. Cassie Urso added nine off the bench. Allen, Emma Alley, and Megan Peach all had six points a piece. Geistfeld had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Pipers. Cha’nel Anderson and Gabby Robinson each added 10 points a piece. Husson ended up shooting 18-43 (42%) from the floor after the tough first quarter and 33% for the game. The Eagles will face Wisconsin-Stout in the second round on Monday afternoon at 12:30.
