ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Lafayette women's basketball took on Navy at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the Leopards emerged victorious in a nail-biting 61-60 decision. Guards Abby Antognoli (14), Sauda Ntaconayigize (10) and forward Tasha Chudy (15) combined for 39 points in the road win.

The Mids earned a 4-2 lead through a Julianna Almeida layup to begin the game, before the Leopards found their rhythm. The contest was knotted at seven points apiece with 4:45 to go prior to Antognoli draining back-to-back triples. Zanai Barnett-Gay halted Lafayette's run with a second-chance layup, but senior Halee Smith knocked down a triple seconds later to extend its lead to seven points (16-9). After the first quarter, the Maroon and White led 17-11.

Both teams knocked down a pair of free throws to get the second stanza underway. With 5:55 remaining in the half, Lafayette took a 10-point lead, its largest of the game. Navy quickly responded with a 6-0 run, but Ntaconayigize got Lafayette back on track with a layup. A triple by Almeida (1:27) reduced the Leopards' advantage to two points (27-25), but sophomore forward Brynn Beffert converted clutch free throws down the stretch. The half concluded with a buzzer beater by Navy's Kyah Smith and the Leopards held a 29-28 advantage at the intermission.

Navy grabbed its largest lead of the game (36-33) four minutes into the second half thanks to a second-chance jumper by Barnett-Gay. The sophomore guard netted 21 points in the second half. The Mids only held that lead for 25 seconds because Ntaconayigize came down the other way and tied the game with a three-pointer. Barnett-Gay continued to shoot at will and her 10 third-quarter points left Navy trailing by two points (45-43) with 10 minutes to play in Alumni Hall.

The Leopards got back to work in the fourth period, scoring five quick points to start the quarter. Barnett-Gay and Almeida then fueled a 6-0 Navy spurt, granting the Mids a one-point lead (51-50) with 6:33 to go. Both squads battled over the next four minutes, trading buckets prior to Morgan Demos tying the game, 58-58. Chudy made the most of the Leopards' next trip down the floor, converting a contested mid-range jumper from the baseline. The Saratoga Springs, N.Y. native later went 1-for-1 at the line, giving Navy a late opportunity.

The Mids elected to go for two points facing a three-point deficit (61-58) and Almeida got her layup to fall. Lafayette proceeded to burn down the clock and stunned the Mids at the final buzzer.

The Maroon and White returns to Kirby Sports Center at 6 p.m. on Wednesday for their Pride Game against American.

 
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