SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – January 27, 2007 – Tara McCarthy scored 15 points for the Springfield College women’s basketball team, but it was not enough as the U.S. Coast Guard Academy defeated the Pride this afternoon, 67-59, in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference game at Merriman Gym in New London, Conn.

With the win, Coast Guard halts a 10-game losing streak, while raising its record to 10-8 overall. Springfield falls to 8-10 overall, and had a three-game winning streak snapped. In NEWMAC play, Coast Guard now jumps over SC into a tie for fifth place with its 4-3 league record. SC falls to seventh place with its 4-4 mark in the 10-team league.

It’s pretty safe to call this a stunner as Springfield had easily defeated Coast Guard twice earlier this year by wide margins – 79-53 in the consolation of the Salem State Invitational back on November 18, then 70-42 at SC’s Blake Arena just 16 days ago (January 11).

After SC took an initial 8-3 lead, Coast Guard quickly countered and led by as many as 10 at 30-20 towards the latter stage of the first half. SC cut it to 33-30 at the intermission.

In the second half, the Pride closed the gap to three on several occasions, including once with about two minutes remaining. But SC never did tie it or take the lead.

McCarthy, a junior guard from Bristol, R.I., led SC with 15 points, including three three-pointers. Behind her was sophomore forward Corey Finch (Hanover, Pa.) with 14 points for the Pride.

One highlight of the game for the Bears was guard Natalie Moyer scoring her 1000th career point with about four minutes remaining in the contest.

SC will next play Mount Holyoke Wednesday (Jan. 31) in Blake Arena at 7:30 pm.

published: 01/27/2007