Women's Basketball Stifled By Redhawks' Defense In 76-65 Loss
Box Score
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Jan. 9, 2013) – A strong second half led to a 76-65 victory by East Coast Conference newcomer Roberts Wesleyan College snapping the LIU Post women's basketball team's four-game win streak Wednesday night in the Voller Athletic Center.
LIU Post slips to 9-3 overall and evens out at 2-2 in conference play, while Roberts Wesleyan improves to 8-4 including 3-2 in the ECC.
After four minutes of play, the Pioneers saw a lead of just three points turn into a ten point lead after a 7-0 run put them ahead 18-8 capped off by a layup by junior
Alexis Peters (Dorchester, Mass.) with 13 minutes left to play in the half. The Redhawks clawed their way back into the game, tying the score at 23-all a few minutes later. Over the final two and a half minutes of play, the Pioneers outscored the Redhawks 6-0 to hold a 43-35 advantage going into halftime. Senior
Samantha Kopp (Franklinville, N.Y.) led the Pioneers with 19 points in the half.
Senior
Nicolette Marciniak (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was fouled while making a layup and drained the ensuing free-throw shot to score the first three points of the second half to give the Pioneers an 11 point lead that soon dwindled to nothing after Roberts Wesleyan enjoyed a 14-3 run to tie the game at 49-all. Over the next few minutes, play went back and forth with each team tying the score and grabbing the lead for a few seconds at a time including
Chelsea Williams (Copiague, N.Y.) sinking a jumper at the eight minute mark to bring the Pioneers within one point (58-57). Unfortunately, that was the closest LIU Post would get to regaining the lead over the final eight minutes of the game with Roberts Wesleyan closing out the game on a 10-4 run to secure the 76-65 victory.
Kopp registered a double-double with a career-high 24 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Pioneer offense. Three other Pioneers chipped in double-digit point efforts including 12 points by Marciniak and 10 each from Peters and
Ashley Caggiano (Holtsville, N.Y.). Marciniak added eight rebounds, and Peters brought down six boards.
Roberts Wesleyan also had four players reach double figures with Brittany Williams leading the way with 20 points.
The stifling Redhawk defense shut down the Pioneers as they shot just 30.9% (21-68) from the field including 21.7% (5-23) from three-point range, and 18-23 from the line. Roberts Wesleyan shot an impressive 48.3% from field goal range, 35.7% from beyond the arc, and 65.2% from the free throw line. LIU Post held a 42-31 advantage on the glass, but Roberts Wesleyan took advantage of Pioneer miscues scoring 26 points off LIU Post turnovers.
LIU Post returns home Saturday, Jan. 12 and continues ECC action with a 1:30 tip-off against the University of the District of Columbia in the Pratt Recreation Center.