BOSTON - You didn't need the New Bedford student section chanting "Undefeated!" to remind you of the Whalers' dominance this season.
All you needed was Allexia Barros.
The junior guard scored 23 points, including two clutch three-pointers in the fourth quarter to wrap up a come-from-behind victory over the Mansfield Hornets, 47-46.
"We just needed to relax and play good defense," Barros said. "That's how we won this game."
Down 29-20 midway through the third quarter, the Whalers scored all 10 of their third-quarter points in a single run to take a 30-29 lead. Mansfield responded with a layup and free throw by Bridget Davis to hold a 32-30 lead going into the final period.
But New Bedford (24-0) responded, and not just with Barros netting 9 of her 23 in the fourth. Forward Arielle Gomes, who had great defensive numbers throughout the game but no points until midway through the third quarter, got 5 of her 8 in the last eight minutes. She also had 11 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 blocks.
Gomes also had one big free throw at the end of the game that perhaps made the biggest difference of all. It was the one that put the Whalers up 47-43 with five seconds left. The ensuing desperation three by Mansfield's Michaela Bowes was nothing but net from about half court, cutting the lead to one.
But the clock hit triple zeroes as it went in.
"Tonight, we earned everything we got," New Bedford coach Michael Gonsalves said. "We got a little concerned because we were missing free throws. If we didn't hit that last free throw, we're still out there in overtime."
Mansfield had a double-double from Colleen Copley (13 points, 12 rebounds) and 15 more points from Kathryn Campbell.
The Whalers will return to TD Garden Monday to face the Andover Golden Warriors in the MIAA Division 1 semifinals. Tip is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
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