Bezjak leads comeback as W&J wins NCAA tourney game
DELAWARE, Ohio – Bryn Bezjak scored 18 points, including five in the final eight seconds of regulation to force overtime, and the Washington & Jefferson women’s basketball team went on to defeat 24th-ranked Messiah 76-72 Friday in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament at Ohio Wesleyan University’s Branch Rickey Gymnasium.
It was the first NCAA tournament win for W&J in program history. The Presidents (24-4) advance to the second round Saturday night (6:30 p.m.) against Ohio Wesleyan (24-3), an 87-43 winner over Immaculata in the first round.
Messiah ends the season with a 25-3 record. The Falcons’ 18-game winning streak was snapped.
W&J won the game by overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit and a four-point deficit with 12 seconds left in regulation.
Messiah outscored W&J 20-8 in the second quarter to open a 34-24 lead.
The Presidents, however, had a strong start to the second half and took a 41-40 lead on consecutive baskets by Meghan Dryburgh, who scored 12 of her 16 points in the second half before fouling out.
Messiah led 61-58 with 47 seconds left in regulation when W&J was called for an offensive foul away from the ball. The Falcons’ Liv Monturo, who scored 20 points, made one of two free throws that made it 62-58 with 12 seconds left.
That’s when Bezjak delivered for the Presidents. She made a jumper from the top of the key to pull W&J to within one point before EmmyFaith Wood was fouled with six seconds left. Wood, who had attempted only nine free throws all season,made one of two foul shots, leaving W&J down 63-61.
Bezjak took a pass from Katie Kovalchick at the top of the key and drove down the left side of the lane, putting in a driving layup at the buzzer, sending the game to overtime at 63-63.
W&J outscored Messiah 13-9 in the overtime. DeRubbo made a lefthanded shot that gave the Presidents a 71-68 edge and added a layup off a Bezjak pass that made it 73-70 with 27 seconds remaining.
W&J then fouled a Messiah three-point shooter, but she missed the first free throw before making two with 13 seconds left.
Stellanie Loutsion sealed the win by making two free throws with one second remaining.
Kovalchick scored 11 points for W&J, which had four players score in double figures.
Reese Harden had a game-high 23 points for Messiah.