February 2, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A tight affair came down to the wire, as the Southern Virginia University women's basketball fought off a second half comeback from Trinity, to record a 49-47 win. The Knights had gone in to the break with a ten point lead over the Tigers, but the hosts mounted a furious comeback in a low scoring second half to get to within two. Trinity had the opportunity to tie up the game, but two missed free-throws with 5-seconds left iced the game for the Knights.

Jasmin Johnson led the Knights with 14-points, and Mina Romito hit for 13-points and a team leading 8-rebounds. The game was tight through the first twelve minutes, as the teams went back and forth, with the largest lead in that span 5-points. The game also had seen 5-ties up to that moment, but SV started to pull away as Romito and Nicole Tolman combined to give the visitors a 7-point run for a 26-19 lead.

Trinity whittled the game down to a two-point deficit, and then saw the Knights go on an 8-0 run that culminated in a Cara Joyner bucket with 3-seconds left, to give the visitors a 37-27 lead. Momentum stayed with the Knights, as they added to the lead in the second half. The lead peaked a 19-points after a Romito three-pointer.

All seemed to be going the Knights' way, and then the shooting for the visitors went as cold as the recent national weather. SVU hit on only one shot over the last fourteen minutes of the game, coming from a Danielle Boyle three-pointer. As the Knights were going cold from the field, the Tigers were streaking to a comeback. The 46-27 lead for SVU was quickly melting away, until the Tigers had the chance for the tie but missed out with the free-throw misses.

The cold shooting for the Knights showed, as they hit on 35% shooting for the game. The Knights also suffered in the free throw department, as they made only six trips to the line hitting on three shots. SVU suffered in the paint, as they lost the rebounding battle 24-37.

The win pushes the Knights to 8-12 on the season. SVU will hit the court again on Feb. 5 when they travel to play the Apprentice School. The Knights won a game against the Builders earlier in the season, 56-42 in Knight Arena.