PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. – A pair of free throws by senior Ashley Wilson (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) with 9.5 seconds remaining in regulation was the difference in Cedar Crest College basketball's 52-50 triumph over the University of Valley Forge on Monday night in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) matchup at The Pit.

The Patriots started quick with a 7-0 run over the opening 3:15. The Falcons chipped away at the deficit with a 5-0 spurt to make the score 11-9 in favor of Valley Forge, but the Patriots answered with six straight points for a eight-point lead after one quarter, 17-9.

Cedar Crest was the squad that began the frame on a run in the second, going on a 8-1 run over the first 3:42, which was finished off with a three-pointer by first-year Haivynn Kovach (Virginia Beach, Va./Churchland) to knot the contest at 18-all. The lead bounced back-and-forth, and the teams entered the half tied, 26-26.

The third quarter featured five lead changes and four ties. Valley Forge built a four-point advantage, 37-33, after a three-pointer from junior Mariah Matthews (Baltimore, Md.) with 3:45 to go. The Falcons pulled on a layup from sophomore Rachel Bilger (Philadelphia, Pa./Upper Dublin), 38-38, and then a free throw by Wilson with 19 seconds left sent Cedar Crest into the final frame with a one-point lead, 39-38.

The fourth quarter remained tight throughout the first few minutes. With the Falcons down 42-41, Cedar Crest rattled off six straight points to make the score 47-42, which was capped off by layup from Wilson with 5:29 remaining in regulation.

The Patriots made one last small run and tied the game at 50 after sophomore Destiny Cox (Jacksonville, Fla.) converted a layup with 1:16 left. The pair of free throws by Wilson put Cedar Crest in front by two with less than 10 seconds left and Valley Forge was unable to connect on two chances in the final seconds as the Falcons came away with the win, 52-50.

Wilson led the way for Cedar Crest with 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block. First-year Jordan McGhee (Copperas Cove, Texas/Copperas Cove) finished with 13 points to go along with eight boards, and five assists. Kovach registered nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals while Bilger recorded five points, 10 boards, two assists, three steals, and a block.

Matthews and sophomore Jessi Manning (Paterson, N.J.) were the two Patriots with double-digit scoring efforts. Matthews finished with 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Manning registered a double-double of 14 points and 19 rebounds, in addition to one assist and two steals.

Cedar Crest (2-15 overall, 2-13 CSAC) will return home to host Cairn University on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. The University of Valley Forge (5-16 overall, 3-13 CSAC) heads to Saint Elizabeth University for a league matchup on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

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