CSI Sports Information
#1 College of Staten Island, 75
#2 Lehman College, 71

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The College of Staten Island Dolphins came back from as much as 11 points down to claim the 2009 Division III Metro Women's Basketball Championship 75-71, their first ECAC title ever.

The #1 seeded Dolphins ended their season on a high note with a 23-6 final record while the # 2 seeded Lehman College finished 20-11 overall.

CSI came out strong taking an 8-2 lead within the first three minutes of play. Lehman answered with a 6-0 run that was topped off by a lay-up by Whittney Barnes to give the Lightning their first lead of the game, 20-18. CSI regained their lead until a Sally Nnamani three-pointer put the score back in Lehman favor at 8:37. The Lightning kept the lead through the remainder of the half lead by Barnes 10 points, taking their biggest lead of 11 at 4:20 on the clock.

Lehman kept the lead steadily and well in the second half. Realizing their time was running put, it was the Dolphins 11-2 run that gave them the momentum to put them back in the lead. Two made free-throws by Nicole Estrada at 8:00 minutes tied the game at 59-59. Thirty seconds later Estrada gave the Dolphins that final boost and put the score back in their favor with a made three pointer. Lehman tied the score for a short time at 65-65 with 5:15 on the clock before the Dolphins regained themselves. Lehman saw their last chance at a comeback at the four minute mark with another Nnamani three point goal. Estrada banked two back-to-back three-point goals in the final two minutes. It was followed by a Nnamani three but it wasn't enough for the Lightning as Melanie D'Ambrosi put the icing on the cake with a made free-throw with 2 seconds remaining.

"It feels so good to win this championship game after we lost in the CUNYAC Tournament," says an excited Coach Moran, "It's a great accomplishment for us and for our five seniors. I wanted them to have something to take with them as they left CSI. They worked hard for it and deserved it."

After the Dolphins flooded the floor in celebration, Nicole Estrada was awarded ECAC Metro Tournament Division III Outstanding Player of the Game. Estrada ended her incredible four year CSI career second in all-time leading scorers with 1,588 including today's performance of 26 points. Aiding her in today's win was Megan Sullivan with 14 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds. Allie Shanahan added 11 points while D'Ambrosi added 10 points. The Dolphins shot 77.8% from the free-throw line.

The Lightning saw a fine performance by Nnamani who led with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Barnes added 20 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

 Most Outstanding Player: Nicole Estrada, Coll. of Staten Island

2009 ECAC Division III Metro Women's Basketball Championship

First Round - Wednesday, March 4

No. 8 SUNY Purchase, 72 at No. 1 College of Staten Island, 85  box score / game recap
No. 7 SUNY Old Westbury, 55 at No. 2 Lehman, 83 box score / game recap
No. 6 Brooklyn, 70 at No. 3 Farmingdale State, 74 box score / game recap
No. 4 College of Mount Saint Vincent, 46 at No. 5 C. of Saint Elizabeth, 48  box score / recap

Semifinals - Saturday, March 7 at highest remaining seeds

No. 1 College of Staten Island, 68 vs. No. 5 C. of Saint Elizabeth, 50 box score / game recap
No. 2 Lehman 79 vs. No. 3 Farmingdale State 71 box score / game recap

Championship - Sunday, March 8 at highest remaining seed

No. 2 Lehman 71 at No. 1 College of Staten Island 75 box score / game recap

Complete Bracket