HARTFORD, Conn. – Senior Reilly Campbell lifts Bantams to a 46-44 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) victory over Middlebury after netting a turnaround jumper with just 14 seconds on the clock. The Bantams rose their overall record 15-6, 5-2, while the Panthers dropped to a record of 15-6, 6-3 in their season.
Middlebury's Calie Messina put up the first points of the game with a three, it wasn't until four minutes into play that the Bantams got on the board. Campbell would cash in all eight of Trinity's points in the first quarter. Heading into the second, the Bantams trailed by one, 9-8.
Early in the second Indi DelRocco made a layup to give the Bantams their first lead of the game, 12-11. A possession later Samantha Slofkiss would tie the game 13-13 after a made foul shot, 7 minutes remained in the half. Middlebury continued to have offensive success, hitting 6-for-10 (60%), lifting them to a 23-17 lead heading into the half.
After the intermission the Bantams would outscore the Panthers in the third quarter netting 14, to Middlebury's 10. Bantams' points in the third were shared between Bria Fuller (5) and Campbell (10) to close the six point gap to just a two point difference heading into the final quarter of play, 33-31.
Emma Wax knotted the score twice in the fourth quarter, with a layup to start the fourth off tying the score 33-33. Three minutes later Wax ties the game again after a traditional three-point play with 6 minutes remaining in the game, 38-38. Hannah Marzo lifted the Bantams into the lead after cashing in a three with 3:27 remaining in play, 41-40. After a pair of Panthers foul shots the score is tied for the third time in the quarter. Middlebury missed a crucial layup with 15 seconds on the clock, Bantams called a timeout and advanced the ball with 14 seconds remaining. After the inbound, DelRocco would find Campbell down low, the senior forward would net a turnaround jump shot to solidify the NESCAC victory, 46-44.
The Bantams found success in the paint outscoring Middlebury 28-18, falling short to the Panthers with boards 31-29. Trinity converted 18-of-50 (36.0%) from the floor, 1-of-9 (11.1%) from three, and 9-of-12 (75.0%) from the foul line. Middlebury shot 18-of-43 (41.9%) from the field, 3-9 (33.3%) from three-point range, and 5-of-10 (50.0%) from the charity stripe.
Trinity is back on the road for a non-conference matchup against the Rivier University Raiders on Monday, Feb. 5th for a 7PM game.
