Friday, March 4, 2011

Women; Marist Gets to Rest in Victory

Well, what else could have been expected from the 18th-ranked team nationally coming in on a 23-game winning steak but a well played performance in its first conference tournament game of the 2011 MAAC post-season event.

Marist, which put up the second 18-0 conference record since the league expanded to an 18-game schedule in 1997, needed little time in pulling away from Saint Peter's to earn a 61-33 victory in their quarterfinal round matchup Friday.

The winners had a 30-15 lead by the intermission, and a large enough lead early in the second half for coach Brian Giorgis to substitute liberally after the half.

None of his five starters played more than 25 of the game's 40 minutes, which should leave the Red Foxes well-rested for their 11:30 a.m. semifinal-round meeting with No. 4 seed Siena.

Player of the Year guard Erica Allenspach led the winners, now 28-2 overall, with 16 points (6-of-7 shooting) in her team-high 25 minutes. In all 12 different Marist players scored in the contest.

Marist, which entered the game as the nation's top team statistically in points per game (49.3) were typically stingy Friday giving up just 33 by the Peahens, who shot just 23.2 percent from the floor.

Saint Peter's, which finishes at 6-25, was led by freshman Teresa Manigrasso's nine points and Jynae Judson's 10 rebounds. Saint Peter's had won its previous three games before Friday's contest.

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