November 18, 2005
Shorewomen Lose Overtime Thriller 79-72
Barrett Scores Team-High 18 Points in Loss

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA– Washington College lost its season opener in overtime to Tyson Tip-Off Classic host Virginia Wesleyan College 79-72 Friday afternoon. Junior guard Regina Barrett (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Mamaroneck) recorded a team-high 18 points along with two assists, two rebounds and one steal in the losing effort.

The Shorewomen started off the game on the wrong foot, falling behind 10-4 in the first five minutes of action. However, Washington went on a 24-5 run in a 10:45 span to help lead them to a 34-22 advantage at the half.

Virginia Wesleyan slowly cut into the Washington lead in the second-half, and took the lead back when junior guard Lauren Rector hit a three-pointer with 4:30 left to give VWC a 56-55 edge. The game continued to see-saw, and Washington held a 63-62 lead with 12.8 seconds left. However, Washington guard Irene Pastorino (Swarthmore, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) fouled VWC sophomore Heather Phillips with 1.3 seconds remaining in the half. Washington had ten team fouls at this point, giving Phillips two free throw attempts. Phillips made the first free throw, but missed the second attempt to force the game into overtime.

VWC carried its momentum from the second-half into overtime, and took the lead for good when Rector nailed a three-pointer to make the game 66-63 with 4:30 remaining in the period. The Marlins outscored the Shorewomen 16-9 in the overtime frame en route to the 79-72 victory.

Barrett had a stellar shooting day for the Shorewomen, going five-for-seven from beyond the arc. Washington junior forward Lauren Duckworth (Newtown, PA/Archbishop Wood) contributed 14 points, six rebounds and three steals, while sophomore guard Elise Conway (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) notched a career-high 12 points and added six rebounds and a game-high four steals against her former teammates. Sophomore Brenda Lucas (New London, PA/Avon Grove) also added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Heather Phillips led Virginia Wesleyan with a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds. Allison Wheeler and Nicole Thurston also added 12 points for the Marlins.

The Shorewomen shot 47% from the floor and 35% from three-point range, but committed 19 turnovers in the second-half and 27 for the game. Washington was out-rebounded by a margin of 47-41.

The Shorewomen return to action Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. game against the University of the Ozarks in the consolation game of the Tyson Tip-Off Classic. The Eagles lost to Whittenberg, 68-66, earlier Friday afternoon.

BOX SCORE