Nov. 29, 2007
Final Stats
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist women's basketball team put four players in double figures as they defeated Yale 77-62 in their home opener Thursday night. Nikki Flores (Montvale, N.J.) led all players with a season-high 18 points, adding six rebounds and four assists.
Julianne Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) scored 15 points in the game, going 5-5 at the free-throw line. Sophomore forward Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) earned her third double-double in four games, scoring 13 points and pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds. The Red Foxes also got a lift off the bench from senior Sarah Smrdel (Mentor, Ohio) who scored a season-high 13 points.
Marist (7-1) would dominate the lane early, making their first six shots in the paint to lead 15-8 6:08 into the game. Yale would get as close as six later in the half, as a Lindsey Williams three-pointer put the Bulldogs behind 20-14. The Red Foxes would go on a 10-4 run, capped off by two Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg, Ohio) free throws to put Marist ahead 30-18. After a Stephanie Marciano layup put Yale within 10, Marist would go on a 9-2 run that saw the Red Foxes score all but two points, a Lynzee Johnson (Bellbrook, Ohio) layup, at the free-throw line to go up 39-22. Marist led at the half 39-25.
The Red Foxes would dominate the second half defensively, scoring 11 points of 10 Yale turnovers. To start the half, Marist converted on Johnson and Viani steals to go ahead 46-30 four minutes into the second stanza. A Flores layup with 8:38 put Marist up 64-42 over the visiting Bulldogs, their largest lead in the game. Marist would cruise from there, winning the game 77-62, their seventh consecutive win.
Marist shot 44.5% from the field in the game, holding Yale to 29.7% shooting. This is the second time this season the Red Foxes have held a team to under 30% from the field. The Red Foxes were 24-33 from the free-throw line and forced 18 Bulldog turnovers. Yale held the rebounding edge 44-41.
Yale (0-5) was led off the bench by Yoyo Greenfield, who scored 16 points. Melissa Colborne added 15 points, and forward Haywood Wright added eight points and six rebounds.
Marist will honor last season's Sweet Sixteen team and unveil the banners from that season prior to Saturday's 2:00 game against Bucknell at the McCann Center. The members of last year's team will also be receiving their MAAC Championship rings.
Single-game and group tickets are available online at GoRedFoxes.com and at the Marist Ticket Office. For ticket information, call the Marist Ticket Office at (845) 575-3553.
