MONTCLAIR, N.J. – After coming up short in each of its seven previous trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Cabrini women's basketball team collected its first tournament victory today with a 76-61 win over Moravian College in a game played at Montclair State University. With the victory, the team improved to 24-4, matching the 1994-95 and 2012-13 teams with a program record 24 victories.
Awaiting Cabrini in the second round is pod host No. 8 Montclair State, who scored a 78-51 win over Regis College. The Cavalier and Red Hawks will meet at 5:00 p.m. at Montclair's Panzen Center, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.
The Cavaliers recorded a balanced offensive effort, with four players scoring in double figures. Junior Amber Keys led the way, matching a career high with 22 points, including 15 in the decisive second half. The junior also grabbed 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season, while her three blocked shots also tied a career high.
Senior Brittany Sandone got the Cavaliers off to a good start, scoring the first six points of the game before finishing with 16 points on the night. Junior Megan Decker also recorded a double-double with 10 points and a career high 15 rebounds, while senior Annie Rivituso added 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
After Sandone's opening salvo, the Greyhounds cut their deficit back to a single point. A lay-up by senior Colleen Stewart sent the Cavaliers on a 7-0 spurt, building a 19-9 lead with 10:10 left in the first half. While Moravian got back within six points, a Sandone three pointer sent the Blue and White into the half with a 38-25 lead.
Cabrini used a 6-1 run early in the second half to extend its lead to 45-31 just four minutes in the second half. Minutes later, the Cavaliers put game out of reach with a 21-5 run over the next 6:22. With 7:21 on the clock, the Blue and White held a comfortable 65-41 advantage.
As always, Cabrini's defensive effort was front and center in the win. The Greyhounds shot just 30.4% from the floor, including 4-15 from three pint range. The Cavaliers also dominated the lane, outscoring Moravian 34-16 in the paint. Cabrini also held a 56-30 advantage on the glass, including 19 offensive boards leading to 22 second chance points.
Senior Katie O'Rourke led Moravian (20-8) with 11 points, while sophomore Alesha Marcks added 10 points in the loss.
Montclair State advanced to Saturday's second round with a convincing 78-51 win over Regis College, the second consecutive year the Red Hawks have opened the tournament with a win over the Pride. Montclair scored 11 of the game's first 12 points and cruised the rest of the way. The Red Hawks shot nearly 60% from the field and 9-13 for three point range, as they built a 49-19 lead at the break.
Junior Melissa Tobie led the Red Hawks with 16 points on 6-9- shooting, to go with fourblocked shots and a pair of steals in just 24 minutes. Freshman Zoe Curtis added 13 points off the bench, while junior Janitza Aquino and freshman Sage Bennett tallied 10 points each.