Nov. 5, 2006
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette women's basketball team got the 2006-07 season underway in style, posting a 91-53 exhibition win over the M.I. Express on Sunday night at Kirby Sports Center. The Leopards got double-figures out of four players, while shooting nearly 50 percent on the evening.
Lafayette made a statement early, controlling the tempo and the basketball throughout much of the first half. Senior point guard Kara Stetler drained a three from the right wing to open Lafayette's scoring, as the Leopards cruised in front 26-10 on another Stetler putback with just under eight minutes to play in the first half. Lafayette led by as many as 20 before the break, as a short jumper from freshman forward Brooke Niquette made it 41-21 with 1:08 on the clock.
The Leopards' motion offense continued to click after intermission with the lead ballooning to 67-32 on a pair of free throws from sophomore forward Emily Garner with 11:59 remaining. Lafayette continued to apply pressure on the defensive end, while executing on offense, leading by as many as 38 on four different possessions, the first coming at the 6:25 mark on a freshman guard Amanda Leone's first collegiate score to make it 78-40.
Lafayette poured in 50 points after the break, while shooting 59 percent (20-of-34). The team shot 49 percent (34-of-70) on the night and held M.I. Express to a 32 percent (19-of-60) mark. Lafayette dominated the boards, posting a 52-33 rebounding advantage. Freshman center Amanda Smith pulled down a game-high 10 caroms. The team also moved the ball efficiently all night, as sophomores Cristin Zavocki and Jessica Spicer combined for eight of the Leopards' 21 assists.
Garner paced Lafayette with 14 points to go with seven rebounds. Stetler finished the night with 13 points and eight boards, while junior guard Val Gomez managed 12 points. Junior forward Vanessa Van De Venter netted 10 points, nine of which came in the first half, and six rebounds.
The Leopards officially start the 2006-07 season with a trip to the Big Apple to take on St. Francis (N.Y.) on Nov. 12. A 2 p.m. tip is scheduled.
Game Notes
-The last time Lafayette scored at least 90 points in a game came in a triple-overtime contest against Syracuse on Dec. 4, 1998. Lafayette lost 102-95.
-Lafayette's 12 dressed players all served minutes and scored at least two points.
-This marked the second straight year Lafayette has opened with an exhibition battle against the M.I. Express, which is based out of Norfolk, Va.
