Fort Myers, Fl– UC Riverside Women's Basketball Head John Margaritis earned the 300th victory of his 19-year career Thursday afternoon in a, 51-48, thriller over Samford in the Florida Gulf Coast Classic.
The game off to a slow start, but the Highlanders got out to a, 9-4, first quarter lead. The second period would also see them held to single digits, as they tallied just five points, and finished the half trailing, 16-14. Their lowest scoring total in any half or quarter this season.
UCR shot 6-26, 0-4 from long range. Réjane Vérin and Michelle Curry led the way for UCR with six points apiece. Hannah Nichols scored 12 to pace the Bulldogs.
Verin opened the second half with drive to the cup on UC Riverside's first possession, sparking a 7-0 run over the first two minutes of the third period. Malou De Kergret knocked down one of the her two three-pointers of the game in the Highlander spurt.
'The clubs would trade buckets as well as the lead, before the third frame ended with the UC Riverside clinging to a, 38-37, lead. The blue and gold had their best shooting period of the game, as did the Bulldogs, with each make eight field goals and three triples. The difference was at the free-throw line, where the Highlanders made five of six attempts compared the Bulldogs, who were 2-2.
In the fourth period with 1:05 to play, Vérin stole the ball and converted at the other end to retake the lead, 49-48. Samford missed a lay-up on the ensuing possession in which Clémence Lefebvre pulled down the crucial board. Holt was then fouled, and calmly made both free-throws with 8.2 seconds left in the game.
The Bulldogs got the shot they wantedout of the timeout, a corner three from Kassidy Blevins, who had already hit three of them in the game, but her shot caromed off the back iron into the arms of Lefebvre as time expired.
Vérin led all scores with 19 points, while pulling nine rebounds, and Holt added 10 in the landmark victory. Nichols finished with 18 for Samford, who also got 15 from Blevins.
"It has been a wonderful ride, obviously there have been a lot people who have played a huge role in what has happened, and 300 wins is a respectable neighborhood." said Margaritis. "A lot of the credit goes the players, coaches, administrators, and support staff I have been blessed to work with over the years." he added.
Coach Margaritis' career as a head coach spans 19 years, 13 of them at UCR, where he has amassed 190 wins thus far.
The Highlanders will face host Florida Gulf Coast in the event finale on Friday at 4 pm PT. FGCU outscored Hampton 20-6 in the fourth quarter to claim a, 60-49, victory in the second game of the Classic.
