BARBADOS’ BEST still wasn’t good enough.
Danielle McNabb had six points in a decisive fourth-quarter run while Paige Aleski hit two backbreaking triples down the stretch as Rochester University completed a sweep of their basketball exhibition tour via Sunday’s 83-69 win over a combined clubs team at the Wildey Gymnasium.
It was the New York-based second victory in four nights following Thursday’s 32-point dismantling of league queens Act II Popcorn Clapham Bulls at the same venue.
But this one wasn’t nearly as lopsided, with the Bajan lasses getting within six points (57-51) early in the fourth after surviving an 11-point first-quarter deficit.
At one point, the home side trailed by a mere point (40-39) in the initial stages of the third quarter following a brief spurt from Toni Atherley and Shannon Green.
However, McNabb swiftly ended the threat with a series of baskets in the game’s last period before Aleski found herself wide open behind the arc on successive possessions to key the Yellowjackets’ 20-12 finish to the contest.
This was after Rochester threatened to blow the game wide open in the first quarter, having taken a commanding 23-12 advantage despite Green’s best efforts in the post.
But Atherley and Clapham backcourt mate Sade Clarke quickly responded in the ensuing period, leading a 19-13 second-quarter rally that pulled the hosts within five (36-31) at half-time.
Atherley had a game-high 19 points, Clarke had 12 and Greene added 11 while Michelle Keplham led the visitors with 15 points.
Maddie Korber and Kirstyn Wright added 13 and ten points, respectively. (JM)
