ROSEMONT, Pa. – Rosemont's Liz Coyne needed three points to break the overall scoring mark for the Rosemont women's basketball program. It took her only 45 seconds, as Coyne surpassed the standing record of 1,729 points scored by Ashley Montecchio. Coyne ended the day with 31 points, but the Ravens ultimately dropped a heartbreaking CSAC game to the Keystone College Giants by a final score of 86-84. The Raven's record fell to 1-6 (1-2 CSAC) while the Giants are now 4-4 (2-0 CSAC).
Except for a very short time in the first half the Ravens dominated the Giants in the period. Noel Higgs completed a three-point play with 5:06 left in the half to give the Ravens a lead of 28 points, 44-16. Keystone whittled the lead down to 19 points with 1:43 left, but the Ravens ended the half leading strongly by 22 points, 54-32.
With 15:49 left in the game, a Kierra Smith jumper put the Ravens in front by 23 points, 65-42. The Giants managed to get to within 15 points of the Ravens a few times, trailing Rosemont 77-62 as the clock was ticking down to only 7:23 remaining. The Giants continued their pressure on Rosemont, outscoring the Ravens 13-1 over the next five minutes to scratch back into the contest, trailing 78-75 with 2:18 left.
Two free throws from Smith again gave the Ravens a six-point lead, 81-75 with 1:23 left, but a layup by Keystone's Jazmyn Robinson and a trey from the Giants' Ashley Evens off of a steal cut Rosemont's lead down to only one point, 81-80 with 1:15 left. Two free throws from Keystone's Alyssa Cuomo would give Keystone an 82-81 lead, the first time they were ahead since they held a 10-8 lead with 14:22 left in the first half.
The Ravens missed on their next trip down the floor and Keystone's Robinson sunk two more from the charity stripe to move the Giants ahead 84-81. Dom Sellers launched a three-ball on an assist from Noel Higgs to again tie the game (84-84) with 6 seconds left, but a Rosemont foul on Keystone's final possession put Robinson on the line again, where she converted both free throws to end the scoring for the game.
In addition to Coyne's 31 points, she led both teams with 15 rebounds for a double-double. The Ravens' Kierra Smith also had a strong game with 16 points and nine rebounds while Nymira Nelson had 10 points with six boards.
Ashley Montecchio, currently playing basketball and earning her Master's Degree in Northern Ireland commented, "Congratulations from Ireland! I'm so sorry I can't be there to celebrate. If there's anyone I'd want to beat my record it's you, as you were such a big part of me setting it in the first place. Enjoy your first day as Rosemont's all-time leading scorer. I can't wait to see what else you'll accomplish this season. I miss you and love you, Lizzy."
The game featured another milestone, as Keystone's Jazmyn Robinson needed 17 points to hit the 1,000 point plateau in her career. She hit the mark with 18:55 left in the 2nd half on a layup. Robinson ended the game as the high scorer for Keystone with 28 points. Ashley Evans (19) and Alyssa Cuomo (18) also hit double-figures for the visitors. Cuomo led her team in rebounds with seven.
The Ravens next travel to DeSales on Monday for their next game. The non-conference match-up is set for 7:00pm.
