Defense Leads Women?s Basketball to Win Over Youngstown State

Women's Basketball 3/7/2008 12:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Women's Basketball Defeats Niagara in MAAC Tournament

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. ? The Cansius College women's basketball team defeated Niagara University 63-51 in the first round of the 2008 Citizens Bank MAAC Tournament at the Times Union Center on Thursday afternoon.

Sophomore Brittan? Russell led Canisius (13-17) with 16 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals while junior Amanda Cavo had 15 points in just 19 minutes. It's the ninth time this season Russell and Cavo have each had at least 15 points in a game. Freshman Micayla Drysdale had a career-high eight rebounds to go along with nine points, four assists and only one turnover.

The game started slowly, with the Griffs getting their first basket at the 15:45 mark on a layup by sophomore Ellie Radke. Canisius took control in the first half by scoring 10 consecutive points ? getting seven from Cavo and three from Russell during the spurt that made the score 18-8 with nine minutes remaining. Niagara battled back by making four 3-pointers in the final nine minutes of the first half as Canisius was up 35-26 at the break. The Purple Eagles shot 30 percent in the first half but only 25 percent on two-point shots in the opening 20 minutes.

The Griffs continued their strong defensive play to start the second half, holding Niagara (8-22) scoreless for the first 3:38 of the half and opening the half on a 24-8 run during the first 11:15 of the second half. Russell had nine points during the run that ended with a layup by senior Mere Mullins, making the score 59-34.

“After the slow start, we settled down and continued to bring a high level of defensive intensity,” Canisius coach Terry Zeh said. “On offense, we were able to score inside, which is what we always want to do.”

“It's always exciting to win in the postseason and now we have a great opportunity ahead of us on Friday.”

Canisius next plays in quarterfinals against No. 24/20 Marist on Friday. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. and the game can be seen live on MSG.

Game Notes: The Griffs extended their NCAA Division I record for consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to 420 games on a make by Russell midway through the first half... Canisius and Niagara met for the second time in the MAAC Tournament, with the other game being a Canisius victory in the semifinals of the 2005 Tournament... Canisius played the same team in the final game of the regular season as its first opponent in the postseason for the first time since joining the MAAC... Drysdale had seven of her eight rebounds in the first half... The 51 points are the second-fewest scored by a Canisius opponent in the MAAC Tournament, with the record being 50 by Manhattan in 2005... Russell had her fifth consecutive game with at least three steals, matching the longest streak of her career... Drysdale has 24 assists and 10 turnovers (2.40) in the last seven games and has an assist-turnover ratio of 1.86 in the last 15 games... Cavo has now made a 3-pointer in 21 consecutive games, the longest streak of her career... Cavo moves to 10 points away from 1,000 points for her career... Russell has now played in 1,106 minutes this season, which is 20 off the program record for a single season... The three 3-pointers by the Griffs are the fewest by the team in a win this season.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#12 Amanda Cavo: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#23 Micayla Drysdale: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#32 Mere Mullins: F; 5' 11"; Senior

#35 Ellie Radke: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#1 Brittan? Russell: G; 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#12 Amanda Cavo
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#23 Micayla Drysdale
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#32 Mere Mullins
: 5' 11"; Senior
: F

#35 Ellie Radke
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#1 Brittan? Russell
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G