DECEMBER 7, 2002
BOB ZIADIE
LADY MONARCHS FALL TO DESALES, 61-59
WILKES-BARRE -- In a big early-season MAC Freedom
Conference matchup between nationally-ranked heavyweight contenders, the
DeSales University women's basketball team was victorious in round-one
with a 61-58 victory over host King's College Saturday in Scandlon
Gymnasium.
King's came out of the gates quickly in the first
half and blitzed the Bulldogs zone defense. The Lady Monarchs made their
first five shots and built a 16-5 lead on the strength of five points from
Carissa Ryan and Tiffini Varrasse, along with three points from Jen
Wozniak. After DeSales cut the margin to 17-11 on a three-pointer by Jen
Netwall, Nikki Kingston answered with a three-pointer to put the Lady
Monarchs on top 20-11 with 12:58 left in the half.
But DeSales would switch to a man-to-man defense
which paid off immediately and the Bulldogs would eventual take a 30-26
lead when Amy Yencho hit a basket, then followed with a three-pointer with
3:03 left in the opening stanza. DeSales would end the half with a 6-4
spurt to cap a 25-to-10 run over the final 11:25 of the first half.
In the second half, DeSales would continue to attack
with a 8-0 run to build a 44-30 advantage with 15:22 remaining. King's
would battle back with a 11-1 run six points by Kingston and five from
Wozniak to draw within 445-41 with 9:35 remaining.
But DeSales would counter and push the lead to 53-43
on a basket by Alyssa Antolick with 6:17 left. The Lady Monarchs would
again rally to tie the score at 56-56 on a basket by Tiffini Varrasse and
a pair of foul shots by Kingston with 1:34 left. But Amy Yencho hit a pair
of foul shots, followed by a basket by to take a 60-56 lead with 0:27
left.
Krisin Yeasted brought King's to within 60-58 with a basket with 0:19 left
and the Lady Monarchs had a golden opportunity to tie the score when
Kingston stole the inbound pass. But Wozniak was called for traveling and
DeSales would assume possession. Antolick was fouled and made one of two
charity tosses to put the Bulldogs ahead 61-58 with 0:15 left. But Jennie
Orelli's off-balance three-pointer from the top of the key fell short as
DeSales held on for the win.
The Bulldogs, ranked 15th nationally in Division
III, improved to 6-0 and 2-0 in conference action. King's, ranked fourth
nationally, saw its record slip to 5-1 and 1-1.
Teri Antolick led DeSales with 16 points and eight
rebounds, while Alyssa Antolick added 13 points and five assists. Netwall
and Yencho chipped in with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Wozniak led King's with 18 points and nine rebounds,
while Kingston added 17 points, five rebounds, and thhree steals. Varrasse
added 10 points and three assists for the Lady Monarchs.
The Lady Monarchs will be idle until December 18-19
with the King's College Hoops Challenge.
