Jan. 8, 2005

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Poughkeepsie, NY - Four Golden Griffins scoring in double-digits pushed visiting Canisius to a 61-58 victory over Marist tonight at the McCann Center. The Lady Red Foxes were down by one, 59-58 and had possession with under 10 seconds left but could not get a bucket and were forced to foul. Becky Zak drained two free throws to put the Griffs up for good.

Marist rocketed to a 20-7 start in the first six minutes of the game including back-to-back threes from Kristen Vilardi (Fishkill, NY) and Megan Vetter (Havertown, PA) and 85% shooting from the field overall. Following the first media timeout, Canisius went on a 15-6 run to pull within 26-22 at the 5:25 mark. Both teams traded buckets including five points from Cheri Wittlieb for Canisius before Vetter closed out the half with a jumper to put Marist up 31-27 at the break.

The Red Foxes came out strong again in the second and pulled ahead 39-31 at the 15:44 mark, including four made free throws. A pair of free throws from Jessica Steeves started a 10-0 Canisius run that ended with the Griffins up 41-39 before sophomore Kristin Hein (Manasquan, NJ) hammered home a three to put the Red Foxes ahead 42-41. Canisius seemed to have an answer for everything Marist put up, pulling away to a 49-46 lead at 8:35 that lasted for a two and a half minute scoring drought until Fifi Camara (Conakry, Guinea) put up a free throw to pull Marist within two.

The Griffins built their lead to as many as eight points off a Wittlieb trey before another pair of back-to-back threes from Vetter pulled Marist within two, 55-53 with 3:33 remaining. The Red Foxes continued to fight offensively, but Canisius always stayed one bucket ahead, and would hold on to take the win.

Marist's Camara led all scorers with 19 points to go along with seven boards, four assists, two blocks and two steals. Vetter's career high 18 points and season-high four steals paced the Red Foxes, as the next closest players had six points each. Kristin Keller (Poughkeepsie, NY) led Marist with 10 rebounds along with three assists. Four Canisius players scored in double figures including freshman Nia Capuano with 14 and Jessica Steeves who was one board shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Lady Red Foxes return to action on Monday when they travel to Iona for a 7:30 p.m. tip.