Plattsburgh, N.Y. - Trailing by ten with under six minutes to play in their opening round game with Western Connecticut State, the Blue Knights seemed destined to lose their season opener for the first time since the 1995-96 season. A game-tying three-pointer with twenty seconds to play and two overtimes later, the Blue Knights left the floor with a 72-68 victory over the Colonials to advance to the championship game of the Cardinal Classic. Riding the momentum earned in the first game, MSMC blew out Plattsburgh, 62-38, to win the tournament title.
Missing several players due to a number of extenuating circumstances, the Blue Knights trailed 49-39 with 5:49 remaining in the opening game of the weekend. Strong post play from senior Jackie Markert (Voorheesville, N.Y.) and sophomore Shannon Sangster (Syracuse, N.Y.) allowed MSMC to rattle off an 11-3 run over the next three minutes, pulling to within two with three minutes to play. After several empty possessions at both ends, Western Connecticut converted on the back end of two free throws to take a three point lead. With nineteen seconds to play, Mount senior Chantel Anthony (Middletown, N.Y.) found senior Megan Kimmey (Troy, N.Y.) open behind the arc. Kimmey drilled the triple to tie the score and force overtime.
In the first overtime, Anthony and junior LaSheila Augustin (Valley Stream, N.Y.) did all of the scoring for the Blue Knights, who held a two point advantage with eighteen seconds to play. Western Connecticut had some heroics of their own, however, as Ally Greenwood converted an unassisted lay-up to tie the score with five seconds showing on the clock.
The Mount came out on fire in the second overtime, scoring the first seven points to take a 69-62 lead. The Colonials responded with the next five points, but a lay-up from Anthony with under forty seconds to play iced the game. Anthony finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Markert led all scorers with 22 points and also pulled down 9 rebounds. Sangster also had a nice effort, contributing 11 points to go along with 8 rebounds.
In the championship game, Mount Saint Mary completely dominated the first half and controlled a 32-9 advantage at the intermission. Plattsburgh would never get closer than 20 points in the second as the Mount cruised to the tournament title. Markert finished the second game with 11 points and 12 rebounds and was named the tournament's most valuable player for her efforts. Sangster, an eventual member of the all-tournament team, led all scorers in the title game with 16 points. Anthony, the third Blue Knight to appear on the all-tournament squad, had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
At 2-0, the Blue Knights return home to open their Skyline Conference schedule against Yeshiva University. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20. After the Thanksgiving recess, MSMC faces another non-conference test as they travel to Montclair State for a 7:00 p.m. start on Tuesday, November 27.