CHICAGO - In a thrilling afternoon at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center, the Stonehill Skyhawks narrowly defeated the Chicago State Cougars (2-20, 2-5 NEC), 66-64, in a game marked by dramatic swings and standout performance, including nine ties and four lead changes.
Aiyana Culver scored 17 points to go with three assists while Josie Hill added 15 points and nine rebonds.
Entering the fourth quarter trailing by eight, Chicago State mounted a spirited comeback. Hill and Culver attacked the rim with ferocity, drawing fouls and converting clutch free throws. As the Cougars outscored the Skyhawks 20-14 in the final frame, tensions rose with every possession.
In the game's final seconds, Chicago State had a chance to tie after a Stonehill turnover. However, a tightly contested three-point attempt from Culver bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded, sealing the win for the Skyhawks.
Chicago State opened strong, capitalizing on a nine-point run in the first quarter to take an early 15-11 lead. Aiyanna Culver's aggressive drives in the paint set the tone, but Stonehill's Kylie Swider countered with her own scoring spree, finishing the quarter with 4 points and numerous rebounds to keep the game within reach.
The second quarter saw Stonehill finding their rhythm. Breana Delaney's sharpshooting from beyond the arc and Swider's presence in the paint helped the Skyhawks claw back into the game. A 7-0 run late in the quarter gave Stonehill a slim 31-28 halftime lead.
About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University sponsors 16 Division I intercollegiate athletic teams and competes in the Northeast Conference with the exception of men's and women's tennis who will compete in the Horizon League during the 2024-25 season. CSU's athletic program includes over 150 student-athletes who compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, triathlon and volleyball.Â
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