Friday, March 6, 2009

Canisius Women Show Their Strength

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Canisius women's team not only captured the quarterfinal-round battle of Western New York Teams with a 71-46 victory over Niagara here Friday morning, but also gave proof that it can continue to cause some damage in this event.

The tournament's second-seeded women's team missed the first seven shots it took Friday, and that's what opponents have to hope for.

But, that usually doesn't happen for more than a few minutes, and it didn't against Niagara. The Golden Griffins then made seven three-pointers without a miss for a stretch, took a commanding lead and never relinquished it.

For the game, Canisius made 12-of-21 3-pointers (57.1 percent). The 12 made treys set a tournament record, surpassing the previous single-game mark of 10 previously held by three different teams.

That, though, should surprise no one. Canisius now has made a three-pointer in 451 consecutive games, an NCAA record for women.

Entering Friday's contest, its 7.5 made treys per contest was 16th best nationally, and its 36.7 percent accuracy from bonus territory was 21st best nationally.

On Friday, seven different Griffs made shots from beyond the stripe, led by five made by Brianna Lucas.

Canisius not only exhibited its traditional outside shooting, but got solid inside play, particularly from the conference's Sixth Player of the Year, junior forward Ellie Radke, who finished with game-high totals of 14 points and nine rebounds.

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