(Buffalo, NY) – The 20th ranked Medaille College women's basketball team stands alone atop the AMCC standings courtesy of their (68-53) victory over La Roche College this afternoon in the Sullivan Center. The Redhawks came into the game tied atop the standings with the Lady Mavs but would leave in a tie for second place.
The story of this game was the dominance on the glass for Medaille and their ability to generate second chance points. The Lady Mavs won the rebounding battle (63-33) and scored (25) second chance points to only (9) for La Roche. Four different Lady Mavs pulled down double digit caroms with senior Amanda Sahhar (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) leading the way with a game high (16) rebounds, one shy of her career record. Sahhar also scored (15) points to finish with a strong double/double.
Freshman Bianca Smiley (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home) ended the day with (16) points, (12) boards, and (2) blocked shots. Both Smiley and Sahhar played much of the second half in severe foul trouble, but both were able to finish without fouling out. Senior Mame Yaa Ankoma-Mensa (Brampton, ONT/D'youville) also played a good portion of the second half in foul trouble but it didn't stop her from going to the glass as she grabbed ten rebounds herself.
The backcourt play of freshman Joelle Pollak (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore East) (16 points - 5 rebounds - 3 assists) and senior Kacie Mills (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore East) (11 points – 6 assists) continued to be a strength for Medaille as that duo is running the Lady Mav offense efficiently.
Junior Tanisha Travis (Rochester, NY/Fairport) was the fourth Lady Maverick to pull down double digit boards, finishing with (10) of her own. Travis was also strong on the defensive end of the floor as she blocked three shots in the victory.
The win is the tenth straight for Medaille and keeps their record clean at home (8-0). They are now (12-1) overall and (7-0) in AMCC play. They will get a few days rest before heading on the road for the first time in over a month, when they travel to Penn State-Altoona on Saturday (1/15) for a 3:00pm tip-off with the Lions.