Dec. 7, 2003

Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist College (3-2, 2-0 MAAC) women's basketball team moved to 2-0 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play for the first time in program history downing league rival Niagara University 61-51 this afternoon at the McCann Center.

Niagara (2-2, 1-1 MAAC) came out firing, taking a 14-4 lead to open the game. The Purple Eagles led most of the first half, extending the margin to 26-13 on a Jessica Kemp three-pointer at the 7:02 mark. The Red Foxes, sparked by a three-pointer with two minutes remaining, began a 6-0 run to close the half. The Red Foxes pulled within two with 51 seconds left on a three-pointer from Nina Vecchio, cutting the deficit to 29-27 at the half.

In the second half, the Red Foxes exchanged buckets with the Purple Eagles, but the Red Foxes took a 31-29 lead at the 18:12 mark. Niagara pulled ahead by a point five minutes later on another Kemp three-pointer. Marist regained the 43-40 lead on a Laura Whitney basket from beyond the arc and never looked back. Whitney finished the day with 10 points, three rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes of action.

Kemp recorded a double-double for Niagara, scoring 20 points and pulling down 13 rebounds in 40 minutes of play.

As a team, the Red Foxes exhibited a fine defensive effort, holding Niagara's second leading scorers Eva Cunningham to three points. The Purple Eagles' leading scorer Colleen Totez, who averages 25.3 points per game, netted just 12 points. Marist also out-rebounded the Purple Eagles 48-41 on the afternoon.

Senior Stephanie Del Preore led the way for the Red Foxes with 13 points, adding eight rebounds and an assist. Junior Kristin Keller pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds in 24 minutes of play. Maureen Magarity was also in double-figures, scoring 11 points and registering five rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal.

The Red Foxes return to action on Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00pm as St. Bonaventure of the Atlantic-10 visits the McCann Center.