PAXTON, Mass. – The Clark University women's basketball team (2-0) took on WPI (1-1) in the championship game of the Worcester City Tournament and earned their second consecutive championship as they topped the Engineers 81-73 in overtime on Saturday night from Fuller Gymnasium on the campus of Anna Maria.

First-year Cyriah Coleman and sophomore Catherine Antwi were both named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances over the two days of action, with Coleman being named the Tournament MVP. 

The Worcester City Tournament championship is Clark's 23rd all-time, which is the most in the tournament's existence, ahead of WPI, who has won 13 titles.

How it Happened

• Clark jumped out to an early 11-5 lead as sophomore Kailey Rios hit a pair of three-pointers, first-year Alyssa Bordonaro connected on a triple, and Coleman hit a jumper.
• After the Engineers responded with six seven unanswered points, Antwi made a layup as the Cougars trailed 18-13 after one quarter of play.
• Graduate student Jacqueline Faulise connected on a free throw to open the second quarter and three-pointers from both Rios and Coleman gave Clark a 22-20 lead with 7:20 to go in the period.
• With the game tied at 22-22, the Cougars scored seven unanswered as Coleman and sophomore Emma Drefs each made layups and Rios converted an and-one to give Clark a 29-22 edge.
• Coleman scored the scarlet and white's next four points and a made layup from Faulise gave the Cougars a 35-31 lead at the half.
• WPI scored the first seven points of the third quarter before Faulise hit a triple off a pass from fellow graduate student Alaina Schatzabel to tie the game at 38-38.
• Antwi, Schatzabel and Coleman combined to score Clark's next eight points as they trailed 51-46 before Coleman scored four points down the stretch of the third to pull the Cougars within four at 56-52 after three quarters of play.
• After WPI took a 60-53 lead, Coleman and Faulise scored four unanswered points as Clark trailed by four and a pair of Faulise free throws pulled Clark within three at 60-57 with 6:26 remaining.
• Down 64-59, the Cougars clawed back with seven unanswered as Antwi hit a triple and Rios made a pair of layups to give Clark a 66-64 advantage with 3:04 to play.
• WPI's Ava Giansiracusa scored the only points over the final 3:04 as both teams defenses locked in as the game was tied at 66-66 heading into overtime.
• Sophomore Olivia Shipley scored Clark's first points of the overtime with a made layup and after trailing 70-68, the Cougars never looked back as they went on a 10-0 run sparked by a pair of Rios triples, an Antwi layup, and made free throws from both Faulise and Coleman as they led 78-70.
• Shipley and Antwi each hit free throws down the stretch as the Cougars defended their Worcester City Tournament title with an 81-73 victory over WPI.

Inside the Box Score

• Clark grabbed 39 rebounds, connected on 10 three-pointers, dished out 11 assists, registered nine steals, and forced 18 turnovers.
• Rios tied for the team lead with 24 points and buried five three-pointers.
• Coleman added 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
• Faulise registered her first double-double of the year with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
• Antwi also reached double-figures with 13 points and tallied two steals.

What's Next
Clark will return to the court on Wednesday night when they welcome Fitchburg State to the Kneller for the first of a three-game homestand beginning at 6:00 p.m.