Women’s Basketball Rallies for a Win in the Season Opener

ROCHESTER, NY – Sophomore Katie MacLachlan scored 14 of her team-leading 16 points in the second half to lead the Nazareth University Women’s Basketball team back from a 10-point deficit to post a 67-56 win over Adran College Saturday in the season opener at Kidera Gymnasium.

Nazareth trailed 32-22 at halftime after turning the ball over 10 times and connecting on just 28 percent (7-for-25) of its shots from the field.

Nazareth (1-0) turned it around early in the second half with a 15-4 run in the first four minutes of the third quarter to take a lead after a layup by junior Madilann Johnsonwith 6:07 left in the period.

The Golden Flyers extended the run and the lead with eight more points over the next four minutes capped by a MacLachlan 3-pointer to give Nazareth a 44-36 lead. The lead was five points at 46-41 after three quarters.

Sophomore Molly Benetti scored six points early in the final period to maintain the lead but Adrian (1-1) closed to within four points at 58-54 with 3:19 to play.

MacLachlan and Benetti hit layups to regain control and MacLachlan added five free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

MacLachlan led Nazareth with 16 points, Benetti added 15 and Johnson chipped in 13. Sophomore Kiara Anglin finished with nine points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals for Nazareth.The Golden Flyers will host the University of Rochester Thursday in the first round of the Mark’s Pizzeria Crosstown Shootout Tournament with all four women’s games at Nazareth.