Jan. 30, 2005

Box Score

DAYTON, OH - The University of Dayton women's basketball team scratched and clawed its way back from a 23-point halftime deficit, forcing 16 Duquesne turnovers and out-scoring the Dukes 42-18 in the second half to earn a 55-54 win Sunday afternoon at UD Arena. Junior guard Terri Ramsey set career-highs with 14 points and seven rebounds, while junior forward Cara Wright recorded her seventh double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Dayton (10-10, 4-5 Atlantic 10) led the Dukes (7-12; 2-6 A-10) for just 10.2 seconds of the game, but it was from 10.2 to the final buzzer. Jennifer Strong added 11 points and three assists, and knocked down the game-tying field goal and game-winning free throw.

Aiga Bautre hit four-straight three-pointers for Duquesne as the Dukes led 17-8 and then went on a 10-1 run featuring two threes from Maria Stankevich. The Flyers managed only five more points before the half, trailing 36-13. Bautre had 15 points at the break on five-of-six from three-point range. Wright led UD at the half with four points while four Flyers had a pair.

Dayton opened the second with a quick 6-0 run in the first 1:17 of the half as Wright scored inside twice. The Flyers held Duquesne to one field goal in 4:17 to open the half, forcing five turnovers and cutting the Dukes' lead to 38-25. Strong added a pair of long two-point shots as UD got within 13 at 43-30 with 11:08 remaining.

After a offensive rebound and bucket from Wright, UD came within single-digits for the first time since 17-8. A pair of free throws by Ramsey, UD forced a turnover and Williams laid the ball up and in to cut the deficit to 50-43 with 3:38 to go.

Duquesne hit a pair of free throws and Ramsey drained a triple to pull within 52-46, but Bautre scored inside. Ramsey responded with another three, and Katie Butler scored off an offensive-board from Wright. She was fouled on the play and converted the three-point play to cut it to a two-point game at 54-52.

After a five-second call, the Flyers were stopped on the offensive end, but Butler broke up Duquesne's breakout, giving UD another chance with 21.3 to go, down a deuce.

Jennifer Strong cut through the lane and hit a right-handed leaner while being fouled with 10.2 to go. The free-throw gave UD its first lead of the game.

Bautre's leaner hit off the iron and Strong raced down the court as time expired.

The Flyers committed just four second-half turnovers compared to Duquesne's 16. The Flyers finished with 14 miscues, three off their season-best (11 at La Salle). The Flyers won despite shooting just 6-of-16 from the free-throw line and 3-of-17 from three-point range.

Ramsey scored 12 of her 14 in the second half.

The Flyers visit George Washington on Sunday in a 2:00 p.m. matinee in Washington, DC.