SCRANTON, PA – The Union Women's Basketball team battled their way to back-to-back Region XIX Division II Championships, taking down Lackawanna College 79-69 in double overtime.
The game was highly contested from the opening tip to the final buzzer. The Owls fought all the way back from a ten-point deficit with eight minutes remaining in the game.
Down three points with under a second in regulation, Jessica Washington played hero after knocking down three free throws with 0.8 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Washington led all-scorers with 20 points and took home the Region XIX Tournament MVP Award.
Jessica Woods notched a double-double (16PTS, 11REB) in the victory. Tiffany Jackson also played a big role on offense, especially in overtime, picking up 15 points and 8 rebounds. Tania Scott did a little bit of everything for the Owls, tallying 8 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in the all-around performance.
Union's bench played a huge role in the win, picking up major minutes in the end to seal the victory. With three Owls fouled out of the game, key rotation players stepped up in the big moment. Micaiah Battle added 7 points off the bench. Kenu Ogbevire, Destiny Shuler, Rhoda Agyemang, and Cynthia Ferreira all made crucial plays that ultimately led to the victory for the Owls.
After the game, Coach Marbely Montas was honored with the Region XIX Division II Coach of the Year Award. Today's win was number 50 for Coach Montas. In just two seasons, Coach Montas has an impressive career record of 50-8 at the helm.
This exciting season of Union Women's Basketball continues next week as the Owls head to the 2019 NJCAA Women's Basketball District N & O Tournament in Loch Sheldrake, NY. The Owls will take on the Community College of Rhode Island Knights. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Paul Gerry Fieldhouse on the campus of SUNY Sullivan.
