Purple Knights Score Final 12 Points Of The Game To Hand # 21 Dowling Women's Basketball Its First Conference Loss Of The Season, 69-61

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport women's basketball team closed out the game on a 23-5 run over the final 8:20 of play, including scoring the last 12 points of the contest, to hand the nation's number 21 ranked team and East Coast Conference leader, the Dowling College Golden Lions, their first conference loss of the season, as the Purple Knights posted a 69-61 home triumph on Wednesday night.  Bridgeport trailed 56-46 before going on its game-winning run.  With the victory, UB moved to 7-13 overall and an even 5-5 on conference action.  The loss snaps a seven-game winning streak for the Golden Lions who are now 16-4 overall and 9-1 in the ECC.

With the game tied at 61-61, Bridgeport senior Edna Marant (Philadelphia, Pa.) hit a three-point shot with 1:02 to play to give the hosts a 64-61 lead which they never relinquished.

The final five points of the game were all scored by senior Elinor Avny (Raanaana, Israel) from the free line in the final 35 second of action.  Avny led all scorers in the game with 20 points, as she went five of six from behind the three-point line and five of six from the foul line.

Elinor was joined in double-digit scoring by Marant with 10 points and junior Tanisha Carter (East Hartford, Conn.) who also had 10 points and led UB in rebounding grabbing nine boards.

Dowling was led by Christine Verrelle with 15 points.

The Bridgeport women are back in action on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when they host C.W. Post.