Jan. 21, 2008

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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - For the second-straight game, the Marist women's basketball team set a season-high in points, scoring 93 points in a 93-66 win over Canisius Monday afternoon at the McCann Center. This is also the highest scoring output for Marist since Brian Giorgis became head coach in 2002. With the win, the Red Foxes are 17-2 this season, 7-0 in the MAAC.

Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg, Ohio), Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio), and Julianne Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) each scored 20 points to lead all scorers. Allenspach set a new career-high in points against Canisius, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field including 4-of-4 from the three-point line and the free throw line. Fitz recorded her fifth double-double season with 20 points and 11 rebounds, going 8-for-8 at the free throw line. Viani scored 20 points for the first time since December 22, making a season-high five three-pointers.

Canisius (8-10, 3-4 MAAC) opened the game with a 7-0 run capped by a Brittane Russell layup, forcing Giorgis to burn a timeout 1:38 into the game. Marist responded with baskets by Fitz, Viani, and Nikki Flores (Montvale, N.J.) to go on a 9-2 run to the game at 9-9 with 15:18 to go in the half. After Fitz scored to tie the game at 14-14, Tasia Lee put Canisius ahead 16-14 with 12:44 to go. Ten seconds later, Viani hit her third three-pointer in the half to spark a 15-2 run, putting the Red Foxes ahead 32-18 with 7:55 left in the first half. The Red Foxes closed the half with a pair of Allenspach triples to close the half ahead 51-32, their largest lead of the half. Marist shot 52.9% from the field in the half.

The Red Foxes kept on rolling in the second half, opening the half with a 15-4 run highlighted by three-pointers from Viani and Allenspach to take a 32 point lead, 68-36, with 12:50 to go. Canisius would only get as close as 21 the rest of the way, as a pair of Russell free throws made the score 78-57 with 5:46 to go. As they had all day, Marist would go on a run to put the game away. The Red Foxes went on a 14-3 run over the next 3:02, getting contributions from Lynzee Johnson (Bellbrook, Ohio), Élise Caron (Quebec, Canada), Alexis Waters (Lansing, Mich.), and Maria Laterza (Brooklyn, N.Y.) off the bench. Marist once again was ahead by 32, 92-60. Three free throws by Amanda Cavo would make the final score 93-60.

Marist shot 48.4% from the field in the game, making 30-of-62 shots, including a 47.8% mark from three-point distance. For the sixth time in seven games, the Red Foxes shot over 80% from the free throw line, shooting 88% from the line against the Golden Griffins. Marist held a 39-34 rebounding edge and dished out 21 assists with only 11 turnovers.

Canisius had four players score in double-figures Monday afternoon. Cavo led the Golden Griffins with 17 points, going 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Center Laura Buetow added 15 points and seven rebounds. Micayla Drysdale and Brittane Russell scored 12 and 10 points respectively. The Golden Griffins were held to 32.1% shooting from the field.

Marist will continue its current homestand Friday night against Siena at 7:30 p.m. The Red Foxes will attempt to "Pack The House" and record the first sellout in Marist women's basketball history. 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.