March 2, 2007
Final Stats
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Freshman forward Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) had game-highs of 21 points and 14 rebounds, leading the top-seeded Marist women's basketball team to a 55-42 triumph over eighth-seeded Manhattan in a MAAC Tournament quarterfinal game at the Arena at Harbor Yard on Friday.
The Red Foxes have advanced to Saturday's semifinal, where they will face either fourth-seeded Fairfield or fifth-seeded Siena. Check back later at GoRedFoxes.com for an update.
Fitz's 14 rebounds were a career high, and it was the sixth time this season she scored at least 20 points in a game. Fitz shot 7-for-11 from the field. Fellow freshman Lynzee Johnson (Xenia, Ohio) came off the bench to score a career-high 11 points, and also tied her career high with five rebounds. Red-shirt sophomore guard Julianne Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) led Marist with four assists.
Marist held Manhattan to 0-for-18 shooting from three-point range, marking the second time this season the Red Foxes prevented an opponent from hitting a three-pointer in a game.
The Red Foxes jumped out to an 11-0 lead, as Fitz scored six points during the run. The Lady Jaspers responded with 8-0 run of their own, but then Marist answered by scoring the game's next 10 points. The Red Foxes led by as much as 14 in the first half and took a 10-point halftime lead.
The Marist lead never dipped into single digits in the second half. The Red Foxes led by as much as 22 before Manhattan closed the game on a 12-3 run spanning the final 4:39 of the game.
Manhattan's Caitlin Flood, a Third Team All-MAAC selection, led the Lady Jaspers in scoring and rebounding with 16 and eight, respectively. Flood was the only Manhattan player to score in double digits.
Thee 55 points the Red Foxes scored represented their lowest total in a victory this season. However, it was the 10th time this season Marist held a team under 50 points in a game, and the 37th consecutive game the Red Foxes have won when holding a team to 50 points or fewer.
