ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Regardless of the time remaining, 27 points is widely accepted as an insurmountable deficit. In the history of women’s NCAA basketball, only two teams have staged a comeback of 27 or more points. It’s not much more common amongst men’s NCAA basketball, with only three teams having done it.
With 13:46 remaining in a bounce-back season after finishing with a program-record 25 losses, the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers had the Marist Red Foxes’ backs pressed against the wall.
“You have nothing to lose at that point, so why not fight as hard as you can?” said junior center Morgan Lee.
The Mount was doubling up Marist, leading 54-27 and showing no signs of taking their foot off the gas.
Although only a freshman, Danielle Williamsen played well beyond her years. The guard scored a quick seven points before the third quarter expired, but Marist still trailed 59-37.
22 points to make up in just ten minutes. Where do you even begin?
Where experience often reigns supreme in March Madness, Marist received leadership from an unorthodox source – a freshman.
“[Williamsen] pulled her team together to start the fourth and said ‘we’re not gonna back down’,” said head coach Erin Doughty. “That’s a big thing to say for a freshman.”
Williamsen’s Full Fourth Quarter Takeover: ‘I’m proud she wears Marist on her chest’
In the final 10 minutes, the Red Foxes outscored Mount St. Mary’s 28-9, nearly staging one of the greatest comebacks in collegiate basketball history. Williamsen did it all: scoring 10, assisting on three Marist 3-pointers and picking up a steal.
Williamsen assisted on a 3-pointer from redshirt junior guard Lexie Tarul to open the fourth quarter to get the Mountaineers’ lead under 20 points. Two free throws, a 3-pointer of her own and an assist on another 3-pointer suddenly shrunk the deficit to a more manageable 13 points.
A three from junior guard Jackie Piddock got it to 10 at 3:35, and each team traded turnovers before a chaotic, game-altering sequence took place; sophomore guard Julia Corsentino nailed a 3-pointer, then Williamsen and senior guard Catie Cunningham trapped freshman guard Nyodie Guerard on the inbound, forcing a traveling violation.
On the inbound, Williamsen got free and struck a 3-ball from the corner. Suddenly, the Mountaineer’s 10-point lead merely seven seconds prior, now shrunk to four – and Williamsen was far from finished.
A free throw and solid defense put The Mount back in the driver’s seat up five, with the ball and less than ninety seconds to play. Williamsen continued her takeover, ripping the ball from redshirt sophomore Giana Hoddinott and converting an and-one layup.
Two more Mount free throws pushed the lead to four, but Marist called a timeout to draw up a crucial play. With all attention on Williamsen, she dribbled near the top of the key then flung the ball to Piddock, all alone on the left wing; Piddock buried the 3-pointer to send the Marist bench, and fans in attendance into a frenzy.
Piddock’s three ended up being the last Marist points of the day, as a missed midranger by Corsentino was just off the mark for the game winner.
Williamsen ended her debut game in the MAAC Tournament with 22 points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block.
“She has 22 points, and she’s probably most excited that Jackie hit that last three,” said Doughty.
This won’t be the end for Williamsen at Marist; the freshman has made it known how excited she is to be a part of the team going forward. The Red Foxes are only set to lose one rotational player – Cunningham – barring any transfers. Marist has not won a tournament game since 2021, but Williamsen seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel for the program’s rebuild.
“She’s just a wonderful kid and a wonderful teammate,” Doughty added. “I’m proud she wears Marist on her chest.”
Edited by Cara Lacey and Michael Burns
Photos by Cara Lacey
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I’m so proud of all of you.What a game! I’m thrilled to have Marist Ladies Basketball in my backyard. You are truly OUTSTANDING!! Well done 👏 Shout out to Coach !