Harper just misses upset

The College of DuPage watched a 12-point advantage midway through the second half shrink to 2 points with 1:30 remaining against host Harper College.

But the top-seeded Chapparals made two big defensive stops in the final minute to hang on to a 53-49 victory in the semifinal of the NJCAA Region IV Division III women's basketball tournament in Palatine.

COD (20-11) advances to play second-seed Rock Valley (16-10) for the Region IV title at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at Harper. The winner advances to national tournament at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, N.Y., on March 13.

Harper sophomore Jenny Murray's basket and ensuing free throw narrowed the Hawks' deficit to 51-49.

Fourth-seeded Harper (6-23) had two chances to tie the game in the final minute, but 2 turnovers on errant passes helped COD secure the win.

"One thing my ladies are starting to understand is we don't need a steal or blocked shot," said COD coach Chris Cotton of his team's defense in the final minute. "We just need containment and allow the other team to turn the ball over themselves."

Freshman Danielle Roden scored a team-high 15 points to lead the Chapparals with sophomore Bonnie Nge adding 14 points.

Murray, a Barrington graduate, scored 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second half to lead Harper's rally. Jacobs graduate Emily Vierneisel added 10 points.

"We haven't been in a close game like that in awhile," said Harper coach Rusty Becker, whose team lost its first two meetings to COD by 24 and 31 points. "We got what we wanted, unfortunately we had a few turnovers."

COD led by 10 points on two occasions in the first half, but Harper narrowed its deficit to 29-23 at halftime. The Hawks then pulled within 3 points early in the second half.

The Chapparals, with only six players suited up because of injuries, answered as freshman Amanda Smith's driving 3-point play gave COD its largest lead at 44-32 with 10:52 to remaining.

"We only have six players so all we know what to do is battle," said Smith, who also intercepted an errant pass with 29 seconds remaining to help secure the victory. "We knew what was on the line and what was at stake here, we didn't want it to end here."

COD converted 7-of-10 free throws in the second half, but Murray scored 7 points in the final five minutes to lead the Hawks.

"We weren't about to give up," added Murray, "We came out in the second half with much more energy and were more aggressive."