Massasoit Falls to UConn-Avery Point in Region 21 Finals, 84-82

#1 Shania Osborne
(Photo Credit: Lauryn Warnick)
#1 Shania Osborne (Photo Credit: Lauryn Warnick)

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. ---- The nationally-ranked Massasoit women's basketball team came up on the short end at the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Region 21 Finals, as UConn-Avery Point edged the Warriors, 84-82, on Sunday at Bunker Hill CC.

UCAP (15-13) advances to the NJCAA National Tournament held in Rochester, Minn., while the Warriors conclude to the 2018-19 campaign at 20-3.

Massasoit received a career day from sophomore Shania Osborne, who finished with a team-high 18 points and a season-best 21 boards and four blocks in the loss. The sophomore was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with sophomore Nina Robinson, who also posted a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds).

Ky'Jae Hargrove added 16 points and six assists for the Warriors.

The Pointers were led by sophomore Mia Brennan, as the Region 21 Tournament MVP finished with 42 points, featuring going 20 for 25 at the free throw line.

Rebkah Sanders added 17 points for UCAP.

UCAP finished 31 of 45 at the free throw line, as Massasoit only attempted nine, making four for the contest.

A nip-and-tuck affair for all 40 minutes, UCAP came out aggressive and led a back-and-forth first quarter, 20-18.

In the second, Massasoit trailed 27-22 before using a 15-3 run, forcing a Pointer timeout with 2:32 left in the half with the Warriors leading 37-30.

The Pointers utilized a late 9-4 run to close out the half, with the Warriors clinging to a 43-41 cushion.

In the third, Osborne netted six of Massasoit's final seven points of the stanza as the Warriors held a 63-60 edge heading into the final quarter of action.

In the fourth, UCAP took advantage of the free throw line. The Pointers, made 16 of 22 in the fourth, as the Warriors were whistled for 16 personal fouls in the final quarter, compared to just two called on UCAP.

Brennan went 10 for 12 at the foul line for UCAP in the last period as the last nine points for the Pointers came at the charity stripe over the final 3:21.

Massasoit led 79-77 off a Robinson layup with 45.4 seconds left. However, UCAP went to the line 10 times over the final 37.8 seconds to hang on for the two-point victory.