Jan. 3, 2010
Box Score
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Led by 20 points from junior guard Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg, Ohio), the Marist women's basketball team won its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener on Sunday, defeating Canisius 73-37 at the McCann Center. The win is the Red Foxes' fifth in a row. The 37 points allowed are a season-low for Marist, as it held the Golden Griffins to 23.6% from the field in the game.
Allenspach was 6-for-12 from the field, making four three-pointers as well as all four of her free throws. She also had four rebounds and four assists, while scoring 20 points for the third straight game. Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) was the only other Marist player in double-figures scoring, putting in 11 points with a game-high eight rebounds. She is now two rebounds away from becoming the Marist women's basketball team's all-time leading rebounder. Lynzee Johnson (Bellbrook, Ohio) each had seven points.
After a Brittane Russell three gave Canisius a 3-2 lead 3:17 into Sunday's game, Marist (9-4, 1-0 MAAC) used an 11-0 run to take a 13-3 lead at the 10:05 mark. Yarde started the run with a pair of free throws, with Fitz scoring the next seven points on a three-pointer and two other baskets. The Golden Griffins would get back within four with 8:22 to go in the half, as Ellie Radke made back-to-back triples to make the score 15-11.
Allenspach answered with a three of her own, as well as a layup, to put Marist back up by nine 20-11 with 6:52 left in the half. Ashley Durham made a pair of free throws for Canisius to get them within five, 23-18, with 4:46 to go in the first. These would be the last points for the Golden Griffins in the half. Marist ended the half on a 13-0 run, highlighted by consecutive treys by Allenspach, Johnson, and Katheryn Lyons (Kernersville, N.C.), to take a 36-18 lead at halftime.
Marist continued to pour it on in the second half. The Red Foxes opened with a 13-4 run, capped off by three three-pointers by Yarde and Élise Caron (Quebec, Canada) layup. Caron also had four assists in the game. Marist took its largest lead of the game with 1:43 left, as Lyons made her second three of the game to put the Red Foxes ahead by 37, 71-34.
The Red Foxes shot 43.9% from the field in the game and made 11 threes for the fourth time this season. They were also 12-for-13 at the foul line for 92.3%. Marist also outrebounded Canisius (5-7, 0-1 MAAC) by seven, 41-34. The Red Foxes committed only nine turnovers, forcing 16 Golden Griffins' turnovers. Tasia Lee came off the bench to lead Canisius with 17 points. Radke added eight points and seven rebounds.
Marist will play its fifth of six consecutive home games Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Niagara Purple Eagles. The women's basketball program will host its first Friends of Jaclyn Foundation night on Tuesday. The Red Foxes hope you will join them as they look to support children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. For ticket information, contact the Marist Ticket Office at 845-575-3553.
