BROOKLYN – Down by 14 points late in the game, Pratt Institute women's basketball nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, but eventually fell to the Maccabees of Yeshiva University 68-59 at the ARC on Monday evening.
After spotting Yeshiva an early six-point advantage, Amissa Epperson's domination in the paint allowed the Cannoneers to take the lead, 10-8, with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. Yeshiva, using their own run, would hold a 14-10 advantage after the initial ten minutes.
Trailing midway into the second quarter, Eisabella Janis' jumper, followed by a pair of Epperson layups, helped Pratt tie the score at 24 all. Yeshiva would outscore the Cannoneers 13-4 over the final four and a half minutes to build a 37-28 cushion at intermission.
The third quarter remained competitive until Yeshiva's Nicole Bick took charge, pouring in eight points to give the visitors a 14-point lead.
Down 57-43 with just over eight minutes left in the game, Pratt swung momentum in their favor. Beginning with Idalia Kaplan's driving layup and punctuated by AimeeLyn Miller's 3-pointer, the Cannoneers would go on a 15-1 run that cut the Maccabee lead to one, 59-58. Pratt, however, would get no closer as Yeshiva iced the game after converting six free throws down the stretch to come away with the 68-59 decision.
In defeat, several Cannoneers put forth some of their best career performances. Anna Bryce set a new personal-high with 12 assists, while Idalia Kaplan's 20 points is tops over her tenure at Pratt. Amissa Epperson added 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven blocks for the Cannoneers.
Up Next - Pratt (4-4) returns to the court on Saturday, January 6, when they travel to Pennsylvania to challenge the Nittany Lions of Penn State – York. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
