PhilaU Lady Rams Clinch CACC Championship, Going to NCAAs
KYW Newsradio Post-Game Interview
Philadelphia, PA- The Philadelphia University women's basketball team (21-9, 14-5 CACC) got 29 points from junior center Jess Romano (Horsham, PA/ Hatboro-Horsham) to clinch their first-ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) title in a 72-63 victory over the Wilmington University Wildcats(18-12, 11-7 CACC).
The Lady Rams advance to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2000-01, when the Lady Rams fell to Pace 76-63.
Romano was named CACC MVP for her 29 point, 13 rebound performance. She was joined on the CACC All-Tournament team by sisters senior guard Amanda Brennan (Stratford, NJ/ Sterling) and junior forward Kate Brennan (Stratford, NJ/ Sterling).
The Lady Rams trailed for most of the first half, but A. Brennan provided a game-changing moment in the stanza with just 1:27 remaining, nailing a trey to tie the game at 27-27. WU's Kim Parker responded with a three of her own to send the Wildcats into the break leading 30-27. Parker led WU with 21 points on the night.
Junior guard Nina Brascetta (Philadelphia, PA/ Archbishop Ryan) sunk a three at 16:15 in the second half to give the Lady Rams a 36-36 tie, and A. Brennan followed up with another trey to give PhilaU a lead they would not relinquish. Brascetta had a big night with 13 points and four rebounds for PhilaU.
The Lady Rams took their largest lead of the contest, 60-48 at 7:52 on a Romano lay-up, but WU's Amelia Simmons made good on two foul shots at 2:11 to get her Wildcats within four.
PhilaU closed out the championship on a 9-4 run to seal the win
72-63. The team will return to action in NCAA Regionals, held
3/13, 3/14 and 3/16 at sites announced on Sunday, March
8th at 9:00 p.m. Click here
to watch it live. Winners of the women's regionals continue
to the NCAA Elite Eight will be held at St. Mary's University in
San Antonio, Texas on 3/24, 3/25 and 3/27.
Click here for pictures form the game.
