A game that began with neither team really being able to find their rhythm ended with one of the most exciting finishes we’ve seen so far this season.
After giving up a comfortable first half lead towards the end of the third quarter, Marshall’s young trio of junior Allie Nassif, junior Anna Musgrove, and freshman Adora Nwude buckled down and fought back to win the game at the buzzer for their second victory of the season.
“They were having rough games, getting good looks but missing shots, far from the best they can play, but I told them hey, you guys could have sulked and nailed it in, and you just kept playing and kept playing,” said Marshall Head Coach Mike Trivosonno. “I think we won because those three went from not having a good game to not quitting, to competing.”
The host Statesmen led 11-4 after one thanks to a tough 1-3-1 trapping zone that gave Westfield trouble establishing its offense. However, the second half saw a flurry of points from guard Bella Bruce (17 points, five rebounds, two steals) and post Emma O’Connor (14 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks) to bring the Bulldogs to within one at the half.
The Westfield duo continued doing damage in the third by attacking the back on offense, and the visitors launched their own trapping zone on defense. A Bruce steal and layup gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game heading to the fourth, 35-33.
The Bulldogs would extend their lead in the fourth and saw themselves up by four with just 1:21 to go. That’s when the Statesmen’s young trio each had their clutch moment. First, Nassif (15 points) hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 40 with 40 seconds to play.
Then, Sam Etzler (seven points, four rebounds) found herself at the line thanks to the bonus and calmly sank both free throws to put Westfield back up by two. On the other end, a nice cut to the basket by Musgrove (13 points) for a layup made it even again at 42.
But it was the freshman Nwude (12 points) who scored the game-winner when she intercepted a tipped pass at halfcourt and took it in for the layup as time expired.
ADORA NWUDE WINS IT FOR MARSHALL!! @GCMGirlsBBall @novahoopsCom 44-42 pic.twitter.com/x6YW32trvL
— Max Nagle (@MaxWritesHoops) December 20, 2022
“We needed it. We were 1-6 going in, we lost a tough one in the She Got Game, and blew an 18-point lead against Mt. Vernon–we’re kind of young.” added Trivosonno on what the dub means going forward for his team. “We’re just trying—as a lot of young players—to compete, stay in games, and keep it close enough to have a chance to close. And then hopefully come the end of January we’ll have put something together.”
While Westfield (2-5) takes the heartbreaking loss, they also warn future opponents of what their team is capable of when they find their groove. Bruce displayed flashes of brilliance in attacking the basket, and O’Connor showed her confidence in the post and aggressive defense in her swats of the ball. They will look to bounce back against Langley on Wednesday.
Marshall (2-6) will take the court next in the Joe Cascio Classic at Falls Church over the holiday break.
-Max Nagle
@MaxWritesHoops