BETHANY WINS AT THE BUZZER,

CURLEY EARNS ALL-TOURNEY TEAM

Nov. 19: The St. Lawrence University women’s basketball team, looking to avenge a loss to the Rochester Yellowjackets on Friday night, played in the consolation game of the Chuck Resler Invitational at the Palestra versus Bethany College. The Saints Brittany Gaetano hit a jumper with one second remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. Unfortunately, the Bison from Bethany would give the Saints a taste of their own medicine, winning the game 72-71 on a last second lay-up.

 

The Saints held the lead throughout the first thirty five minutes of play, stretching their lead to a game high thirteen points with 1:23 to play in the first half when senior Nora Curley hit a jumper. The Saints brought a 41-32 lead into the half, but the Bison came out hot to start the second half of play.

 

With just under six minutes gone in the second half, Jenny Place took a pass from Ashley Zemba and converted the lay up to close the Saints lead to three. The Saints’ showed their toughness and resiliency, refusing the give up the lead with key shots by Kimberly Sikule and Curley. However, Bethany rallied, and eventually stole the lead from St. Lawrence for the first time with 4:34 minutes remaining in the game.

 

The Bison took their momentum and opened up a three point lead with only 1:24 to go at 62-59, but junior Brittany Gaetano knocked down a huge three pointed to tie the game at 62-62 with forty-two seconds left in regulation. Lisa Mitchell would give Bethany back the lead, making a lay-up with :35 on the clock to make it 64-62.

 

With ten ticks left in the game, Renee Shehady had two free throw chances to extend the Bison lead, but missed them both. The Saints came down the court, and got the ball into Gaetano’s hands and with only one second remaining, the junior guard knocked down the jumper to send the game to overtime.

 

In the overtime session, neither team could open up a big lead, and with the Saints up one at 69-68, Bethany’s Jenny Place made a jump shot with forty-six seconds in the first overtime to make it 70-29 Bison. After a Lisa Mitchell foul with only ten seconds remaining, senior Katie Seward stepped to the free throw line and knocked down two big free throws to give the Saints back the lead at 71-70. However, Mitchell made up for her late foul, taking the ball and scoring a lay up as the buzzer sounded to give Bethany the overtime win.

 

The Saints were led in the Chuck Resler Invitation by senior forward Nora Curley, who led the team in scoring and rebounding both games. Against Bethany, she had 20 points, nine rebounds, and an assist. For her outstanding play, Curley was selected on to the All-Tournament team. Gaetano finished the game with eight points and two assists, while junior Andrea Muszynski added a solid 13 point, five board performance.

 

The Saints will look to bounce back from the tough defeat on Sunday, November 27 th when they play at home for the first time this season against Oswego at 2:00pm.

 

 

 

SAINTS DROP SEASON OPENER TO

YELLOWJACKETS IN TIP-OFF TOURNEY

Nov. 18: The St. Lawrence University women’s basketball team got their season underway Friday evening at the University of Rochester Tip-Off Tournament against the host Yellowjackets of Rochester. The Saints, playing from behind most of the game, were unable to battle out of a first half deficit and fell in the opener 61-47.

 

Although the Saints (0-1) grabbed an early 7-2 lead, the Yellowjackets, playing on their home floor, were too tough in the early going. Rochester took the lead on a three pointer by Jessie Graham just over five minutes into the game and the home team never looked back. Rochester rattled off a 23-2 run to take a 21-9 lead with midway through the first half. The Saints refused to go quietly, however, and closed the gap to 8 points at the half with the score 31-23.

 

Senior forward Nora Curley had a solid opening performance for the Saints, leading her team in scoring and rebounding with 14 and five, respectively. She would also chip in two blocks and a steal. However, the Yellowjackets were too tough defensively in the second half, only letting St. Lawrence get as close as seven points. Danielle Muller led all scorers with 16 points, and added five rebounds and two assists for the host team. Teammates Helen Baroody (9 points, 2 rebounds) and Emily Bango (6 points, 4 assists, 4 steals) were key contributors for Rochester as well.

 

Sophomores Kimberly Sikule and Jamie Wolff kept the Saints in the game, playing solid at the guard position. Sikule had six points, four rebounds and three steals, while fellow underclassmen Jamie Wolff matched her point total and had three steals of her own on the defensive end.

 

The Saints will play in the third place game of the Rochester Tip-Off Tournament tomorrow, Saturday, November 19 th at 3:00pm versus Bethany. The Yellowjackets will play in the 6:00pm Championship game versus Baldwin Wallace.

 

 

SAINTS LOOK FOR TALENTED GROUP TO

MAKE STRIDES IN '05-'06

Nov. 14: The St. Lawrence University women’s basketball team has one important goal for the 2005-2006 season: reach the NCAA Tournament. However, Head Coach Jennifer Kroll and her squad know the task at hand is anything but easy.

 

With a tough non-conference schedule, including six teams that qualified for the 2005 Division III NCAA Tournament, the Saints know they may take some bumps in the early part of the season. However, the preparation will hopefully have the Saints right where they want to be going into a tough Liberty League schedule.

The Saints will be without Meredith Pridgen, Kelly O’Brien, Jessica Zuk, and Mary Hever, who all graduated in the spring of 2005. The Saints will miss both the leadership qualities this group had, along with their size.

“Having graduated two 6'2 players, we will have to work a lot harder defensively and on the boards. The leadership that we got from our seniors last year was outstanding. This was the last group of players that played on the team that advanced to the National Championship game in 2002. The legacy that they left the program will be felt in the level of expectation that the players set for themselves. This is an extremely hard working group this year. They will, no doubt, be fun to coach,” added Coach Kroll.

With a solid group of core players, St. Lawrence will look to junior Andrea Muszynski to assert herself in the post along with senior Nora Curley. At the guard positions, junior Britt Gaetano will run the show along with junior Jess Smith. Sophomore Kim Sikule has taken her defense to the next level and will play minutes alongside sophomore 3-pt. shooting threat Jamie Wolff. Junior Chrisie Herbst will also add leadership and depth to a good core of guards.

 

“The primary focus right now is getting better everyday. With six newcomers, there is a lot of learning and thinking going on in practice,” said Kroll.

 

Although the Saints bring leadership and depth, they will without a doubt need the newcomers to deliver some big minutes if they want to reach their goals. First-years Lauren Sischo, Jenna Krzemien, Katie Palmer, and sophomore transfer Amy Fortener will need to step into their roles early and help set the tone for a season the Saints hope will bring an NCAA Tournament appearance.

 

The Saints begin their season on Friday, November 18 th versus the University of Rochester at the Rochester Tip-Off Tournament at 6:00pm.