EMMANUEL DROPS EASTERN CONN TO WIN 4TH-STRAIGHT
Nov. 24, 2009
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. - In a battle of perennial NCAA tournament qualifiers, Emmanuel snapped a two-year losing streak to Eastern Connecticut, defeating the Warriors on their home court, 68-58. The Warriors missed 18 of 19 three-point field goals and Emmanuel sank 16 of 18 free throws en route to the ten-point win. The Saints, who are now 4-0 on the season, were led by Casey Shevlin's (Medford, N.Y.) 16 points.
After overcoming an early four-point lead by Eastern, the Saints took control of the board and never relinquished the lead. Emmanuel went up by as many as 19 points six minutes into the second half. The Warriors chipped away at the deficit and made a run that cut 11 points off the lead, as they pulled to within eight, 61-53, with eight minutes left. Emmanuel's junior guard Kristin LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) sank two free throws to restore the double-digit lead seconds later.
Shevlin's shooting was perfect, as the junior point guard hit all five of her field goal attempts, including three from long-range. She also drained her three shots from the line en route to her 16-point game. LeBel chipped in with 15 points, while senior guard Iman Davis (Toms River, N.J.) added 14 points and 6 boards for the Saints.
For the second straight game, Eastern's 16th-year head coach Denise Bierly was denied her 300th career coaching victory. Emmanuel will play again after the holiday, when the Saints host Brandeis University on December 1st in a 7pm start.