Mountaineers Fall
February 07, 2006 09:21 PM | General
February 7, 2006
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Chelsea Marandola’s pair of free throws with 3.2 seconds left lifted Providence to a 57-55 win over West Virginia Tuesday night at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium.
Trailing 53-52, West Virginia retook the lead with 23 seconds left when Chakhia Cole hit a driving lay up and was fouled on the play by Shantee Darrian. Cole made the free throw to put the Mountaineers up two, 55-53.
On the other end Ashley Powell was whistled for a foul on Marandola, who got past Britney Davis-White for an open shot. Marandola made both free throws to tie the game at 55.
Following a West Virginia timeout with 14.1 seconds left, the Mountaineers worked the clock down for one final shot. But Powell’s pass was stolen by Marandola and the West Virginia freshman was called for a reach-in foul to put Marandola back on the line.
After Marandola’s two free throws, a desperation 3-point shot by Powell at the buzzer was off the mark.
West Virginia (12-9, 4-6) led by as many as eight points early in the second half and led 31-27 at halftime.
Turnovers were a big problem for West Virginia, which came into the game leading the Big East in turnovers. The Mountaineers committed 20 miscues Tuesday night while shooting just 41.5 percent (22 of 53) for the game.
Olayinka Sanni led West Virginia with 15 points, followed by a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double by Chakhia Cole. LaQuita Owens contributed 13.
Providence, now 7-15, 2-9, was able to hold onto the basketball and overcome a 22 of 60 (36.6 percent) shooting performance.
Catherine Bove had 15 for the Friars. The victory was Providence’s 250th at Alumni Hall.
West Virginia, now 1-2 without its leading scorer Meg Bulger lost for the season with a knee injury, returns to Morgantown to face Rutgers Friday night at the WVU Coliseum. Tip off is set for 7 pm.
