LEICESTER, Mass. – Becker College senior Haley Ooms (Valatie, N.Y.) scored a career-high 31 points, including her 1,000th of her career as the Hawks held on for a 75-71 win over Southern Vermont College in New England Collegiate Conference women's basketball action. The win lifts the Hawks record to 7-13 (7-7 NECC) while the Mountaineers fall to 5-16 (3-11 NECC).
Becker held a 14 point advantage at halftime, but Southern Vermont climbed back into the game late in the second half. Becker senior Jacqueline Chila (Monroe, Conn.) nailed a jumper with 5:21 remaining in regulation, giving the Hawks a 67-56 lead. Southern Vermont responded by going on a 11-2 run, cutting the Becker lead to just two at 69-67 with 1:33 left on the clock. On the Hawks next possession Ooms hit a jumper inside the paint to give Becker a 71-67 cushion. The excitement was short lived as Amber Flagg (Windsor, Conn.) answered with a three pointer, shrinking the Becker lead to 71-70 with 1:04 remaining.
After a pair of free-throws by Gabrielle Gallo (Northport, N.Y.) gave Becker a three point advantage, Mountaineer freshman Gabrielle Gustamachio (Proctor,Vt.) came off the bench and nearly tied the game with a three pointer, but it rattled out of the net. Haley Ooms hit two free-throws to preserve the Becker victory.
Along with Ooms' 31 point outburst, she also gathered game high 12 boards to earn a double-double. Ooms hit a three pointer with 10:31 remaining on the clock to become the sixth player in program history to score her 1,000th point. Jacqueline Chila also earned a double-double after scoring ten points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Tatiana Mojica (Worcester, Mass.) chipped in with 14 points.
The Mountaineers were led by sophomore Sarah McDonald (Cohoes, N.Y.) who went 11 for 19 from the field for a team best 23 points. Classmates Kala MacKenzie (Fair Haven, Vt.) and Amber Flagg finished with 19 and 12 points respectively.
The teams will meet again on Thursday, February 6, when Becker returns the favor by traveling to Southern Vermont for a 7:00 tip-off.
