Published: February 16, 2008 11:23 pm         

Potomac State rally falls short in WPCC title game

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Northampton built a double-figure lead in the second half, withstood a valiant comeback bid by Potomac State and edged the Catamounts 77-71 in the Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference championship game Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Catozzoio scored 17 points to lead a balanced attack for Northampton (26-4), the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference champions.

Amanda McKim had 19 points and Ashley Heavener 16 points and nine rebounds for Potomac State (17-9), the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference champions.

Tied at 35 at halftime, Potomac State built a slim lead that grew to five points in the second half, but Northampton fired back and spurted to a 14-point advantage.

From there, the Catamounts chipped away and got back into striking distance but were never quite able to over the hump.

“It was a battle throughout. We got into foul trouble early and because we have only one true point guard we had some players playing positions they were not really used to playing,’’ said Potomac State coach Jim Walton. “And everyone did a great job.

“Julieanne Buckley probably played point guard for a third of the game and when she got pressured Amanda McKim stepped in at the point.

“Our players responded quite well and it was a battle to the end. Nobody gave up.”

Madelynn Crosby finished with 12 points and Buckley had 10 points and team highs with seven assists and four blocked shots for the Catamounts.

Kimberly Wine had 16 points, Sharney Rehm 14, Christina Villacis 13 and Taylor Mastrianni 10 for Northampton.

Potomac State outproduced Northampton in field goals, 31-24. But Northampton held a 7-1 edge in three-point goals, and went 12-for-16 from the foul line compared to Potomac State’s 8-for-21 showing.

The Catamounts will play at Garrett in a Feb. 26 rescheduled game before participating in the Region XX Tournament, which is slated for Feb. 28-March 2 at Frederick Community College.