JANUARY 11, 2003
BOB ZIADIE
VARRASSE, WOZNIAK POWER KING'S TO TOURNEY CROWN
WILKES-BARRE -- Tiffini Varrasse and Jen Wozniak
combined for 46 points and the King's College women's basketball team
overcame a six-point halftime deficit to post a 73-56 victory over
Muhlenberg College in the championship game of the Lady Monarch Classic.
Trailing 39-33 at the break, King's (10-2) would
claw back and tie the score at 39-39 on a pair of baskets by Wozniak and a
bucket by Kristin Yeasted. The teams would trade baskets, and with the
game tied at 43-43 with 16:31 remaining, the Lady Monarchs went on 7-0
spurt keyed by a pair of foul shots by Varrasse, a bucket by Yeasted, and
a three-point play from Nikki Kingston to put King's on top 50-43 with
11:13 left.
Muhlenberg would cut the margin to 52-51 on a
three-pointer from Gwen Doyle, but the Lady Monarchs would close out the
final 8:49 with a 21-4 run to seal the win. Varrasse ignited the run with
a pair of foul shots before Wozniak made three straight buckets to up the
lead to 60-51 with 6:37 left. The Lady Monarchs would end the game with a
11-1 run as Varrasse netted a pair of baskets and two foul shots during
the spurt. Defensively, King's held the Mules to just six points over the
first 10:53 of the second half to rally from behind.
Varrasse was named tournament most valuable player
after totaling 24 points, five assists, and four steals in the title game.
Wozniak was named all-tournament with a 22-point, six rebound effort.
Kingston, who missed the tournament opener with an injury, returned to the
lineup and the senior all-American added 12 points and five rebounds in
the final. Kingston was presented the John J. Dorish Sportsmanship Award
in honor of the former King's Director of Athletics who passed away in
1999.
Muhlenberg (6-5) was led by Gwen Doyle with 21
points with six three-pointers. Becky Richmond followed with 19 points and
five rebounds to earn all-tournament team honors. Jill Friedman, who
scored three points but snared nine boards, was also named to the
all-tournament team. King's held Muhlenberg's leading scorer Sue Marchiano
to just three points.
In the consolation game, Susquehanna upset 2002 NCAA
qualifier Alvernia 57-52 as Alison ream netted 17 points to earn
all-tournament honors. Jen Sawyer led Alvernia with 11 points and was also
named to the all-tournament team.
