SAINTS TOP LASERS IN GNAC WOMEN'S HOOP
Feb. 14, 2009
BOSTON, MASS. - The Emmanuel Women's Basketball Team cruised to a 76-54 victory over the visiting Lasers of Lasell College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action played in the Jean Yawkey Center on Saturday afternoon. With the win, Emmanuel improved to 16-8 overall 9-1 in the GNAC, where the Saints remain in first place heading into the final week of the season. The Lasers dropped to 7-16 on the season and 4-6 in league play.
The Saints kicked off the action with an 11-2 opening, sparked by back-to-back tri-fectas from sophomore guard Kristin LeBel (Tolland, Conn.). Lasers got some great looks early, but could not connect. Lasell began to chip away at the Saints' lead and brought the contest to within five points, 15-10, after a three-pointer by senior guard Katie Schumitz (Milford, Conn.) at the twelve minute-mark. Emmanuel quickly stretched the lead again, going on a 14-4 run, which spanned the next six minutes.
Emmanuel continued to dominate play throughout the remainder of the initial frame. The Saints got a huge first half from junior captain Iman Davis (Toms River, N.J.), who scored a team-high 13 points, grabbed 5 boards, and dished out 4 assists in her first 13 minutes of play. The Lasers hit just 9 first-half field goals and shot a dismal 24.3% (9-37) in the opening stanza. Emmanuel took the momentum and a solid 42-24 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Out of the break, the two teams traded baskets early on. After a made jumper in the paint by Lasell's junior forward Tricia Culver (North Hampton, Mass.) with 14:41, Emmanuel began a 12-2 run over the next three minutes and brought the margin to 26 points at 59-33 with 11:52 remaining. The Saints held a solid twenty-point lead for the remainder of the contest, with the Saints biggest advantage (29 points) coming after a Davis lay-up with 6:28 to go.
Emmanuel shot 49.2% (32-65) as a team for the game, including hitting 4 of 10 from behind the arc. Davis and LeBel were the high-scorers for the Saints with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Davis knocked down 11 of her 15 attempts from the field, while hauling in a team-high 10 rebounds and dishing out a team-high 6 assists in just 22 minutes of play. LeBel was deadly from long range, as she hit 4 of 6 from three-point land en route to her 22 points. Junior captain Abby Brenkach (Germantown, N.Y.) chipped in with 9 points and 7 rebounds in the win for Emmanuel.
The Saints came away with a 48-33 rebounding margin. Despite committing 19 turnovers offensively, the Saints running game helped Emmanuel to score 20 points off of fastbreak buckets. Emmanuel's defense forced Lasell to shoot just 31.6% (18-57) form the field on the day.
The Lasers were led by senior guard Shauna Kelly (Quincy, Mass.), who scored 15 points, picking up 7 from the free throw line. Culver added 11 points, on 5 for 10 shooting, before fouling out of the contest. Sophomore guard Katie Farr (Rindge, N.H.) chipped in with 6 points and 4 assists in the effort.
Emmanuel will host its two remaining GNAC regular season contests. The Saints take on Pine Manor College on Tuesday (2/17) at 5:30pm and then Mount Ida College on Thursday (2/19) at 7pm. Lasell is back in action on Tuesday, when they host the Cadets of Norwich University in a 6pm start.