FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) Ashley Ravelli scored 14 points to help Robert Morris hold off Sacred Heart 56-51 on Sunday and win the Northeast Conference Tournament championship.
The Colonials (20-12) are headed to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. It will give coach Sal Buscaglia one last chance to coach in the NCAAs. He announced he will retire at the end of the season. Buscaglia has spent 38 years on the bench, including the last 13 at Robert Morris.
His team led 52-45 with 4:25 left before the Pioneers rallied with the next six points. Trailing 52-50 with 13.8 seconds left, Adaysha Williams hit one of two free throws to get the Pioneers within a point.
Ashley Ravelli was fouled a second later and hit both free throws to make it 54-51.
Sacred Heart (20-12) had one final chance but Williams' 3-pointer from the corner was short. Janee Brown sank two free throws to seal the win.
