Bloomfield Downs Caldwell for CACC Women's Basketball Championship
CALDWELL, NJ - Defense wins Championships and
tonight the Deacons became the Champions of the Central Atlantic
Collegiate Conference (CACC) with a 52-41 victory over the Cougars
of Caldwell College. The win gives Bloomfield their first CACC
title in women's basketball since becoming a NCAA Division II
institution in 2002. It also affords the Deacons an automatic bid
to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Caldwell ends their season with an
18-11 overall record while Bloomfield improves 20-9 as they extend
into postseason play.
The 7th ranked scoring defense in the nation came to play tonight
as Bloomfield held the Cougars to a season-low 41 points on
15-for-44 shooting from the field. The Deacons forced 24 turnovers
during the contest which led to 17 points. Caldwell held a slight
edge in rebounding for the game (41-38) but Bloomfield made up the
difference with 2nd chance points tipping in their favor 13-7. The
Deacons reserves led by senior Ivettlis
Castro (Carteret, NJ) and Lauren
Deverin (Sewaren, NJ) out-scored the Cougars' bench
20-0 providing the catalyst for Bloomfield's success on the
night.
The atmosphere inside the George R. Newman center was electric as
the crosstown rivals began the battle with Caldwell jumping out to
an early 5-0 lead after a jumper from the CACC 'Player of the Year'
Jeanette Anderson. The teams would trade baskets over the next
three and a half minutes and the Cougars found themselves up 11-6
before the Deacons reeled off the next twenty points unanswered.
Bloomfield's nationally ranked defense held the Cougars scoreless
for over twelve minutes and the Deacons offense was powered by
junior Tierra
Scott (Bear, DE) who poured in 9 points in the first
half. Bloomfield would head to the break up 27-16, holding Caldwell
to just 20.0% shooting in the opening period. Castro and Deverin
combined for 9 points in the frame for the Deacons.
Bloomfield shot the ball poorly in the second half (29.0%) and
Caldwell seized the opportunity opening up with an 8-0 run after a
pair of threes by Nicole Angelo bookended an Anderson layup. The
Cougars would claw their way to within five (30-35) but the dynamic
duo from a day ago, Ariel
Wilson (Chesapeake, VA) and Tianna
Smith (Nanuet, NY) scored on the Deacons next two
possessions to push the lead back up to 40-30. The double-digit
advantage proved insurmountable with the Bloomfield defense holding
Caldwell without a field goal for a four and a half minute stretch.
Castro and Wilson sank free throws in the closing minutes to secure
the programs first CACC Championship.
For the Cougars, Anderson ended the night with 9 rebounds and a
game-high 17 points. On the Champs' side of the ball, Castro
finished the game with 11 points and Deverin pitched in 9 points
alongside 8 rebounds. Smith was named to the CACC All-Tournament
Team and ended the night with 4 points, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Wilson also garnered All-Tournament honors, finishing up with 9
points and 4 steals. Scott was named the CACC Tournament 'Most
Valuable Player' netting team-highs 13 points and 9 rebounds.
Bloomfield now awaits the NCAA Tournament selection show on Sunday
March 9 at 10:00 pm to find out their next opponent and regional
seedings. Please log on to www.bcdeacons.com for updates as the
Deacons make their first appearance in program history to the NCAA
big dance.
2014 CACC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Tori Arnao, Philadelphia U.
Kasey Woetzel, Holy Family
Ariel Wilson, Bloomfield
Jeanette Anderson, Caldwell