March 6, 2005
Final Stats
BUFFALO, NY - The Marist women's basketball team had its 16-game winning streak snapped with a one-point loss in the MAAC Tournament Finals today. The Red Foxes overcame an eight point halftime deficit, their largest of the season, to take a 54-52 lead with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. Five straight points pulled the Griffs ahead 57-54 before Kristin Keller (Poughkeepsie, NY) pulled the Foxes within two with 23 seconds left. Canisius went 3-4 from the free throw line in the closing seconds to pull away and a last second three by Alisa Kresge (Holmdel, NJ) took the final to 60-59, Canisius.
The Golden Griffins hopped out to a quick 5-0 lead over Marist that they would soon extend to 9-5 as a Karly Chesko jumper and JJ Williams layup surrounded a Keller jumpshot. Junior Kristen Vilardi (Fishkill, NY) drained a big three that jumpstarted an 11-0 run for the Foxes. Keller scored seven-straight points to help Marist take a 16-9 lead at 10:43. Canisius then took its turn as the Griffs went on an 11-0 run in which five different players scored to put them up 20-16 at 6:07. Three consecutive made free throws by freshman guard Nikki Flores (Montvale, NJ) helped Marist get back in the scoring column before Canisius scored eight straight to take a 30-20 lead with 2:00 left. The Griffs held on to take a 32-24 lead into the locker room.
Vilardi hit a quick three in the second followed by a Fifi Camara (Conakry, Guinea) jumper to pull the Red Foxes within three, 32-29 at 18:07. Abby Radunske pulled the Griffs ahead by five but Kresge answered with a three, taking the tally to 36-34, Canisius. Two consecutive turnovers by Canisius allowed Marist to tie the score at 40-40 after jumpers by Camara and Megan Vetter (Havertown, PA). Becky Zak hit a three to put the Griffs ahead but Flores answered with one of her own followed by a Keller layup to give Marist the 45-43 advantage with 9:16 remaining.
The two teams continued to trade baskets but whenever the Red Foxes grabbed the lead, Canisius managed to tie it up again. Camara put the Foxes up 54-52, but a Jessie Lamparski three gave the Griffs the one point advantage. Jess Steeves then put Canisius up 57-54 before Keller responded with a layup to pull Marist within one at 57-56 with 23 seconds left. Lamparski and Zak scored three-straight from the free-throw line to put the Griffins up by four and Kresge's three would get the Foxes within one without enough time left to make another play.
Camara finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for her 15th double-double of the season while Keller had 16 points along with five assists and two blocks. Flores had another strong outing for Marist picking up nine points, seven rebounds and three assists while Kresge was near-perfect at the point with six points, six boards and six assists. Megan Lyte led Canisius with 10 points and 11 rebounds while Zak and Lamparski joined her in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Keller, Camara and Flores were all named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team, joined by Steeves and Eva Cunningham of Niagara. Zak was the MVP.
Keller became Marist's all-time leader for career games played with 117, which also ties the men's program record. The Red Foxes closed out the season with a 22-7 mark (15-3 MAAC) and were MAAC Regular Season Champions.
