Women's Basketball Opens 2015 with 76-59 Win over Ursinus

More news about: Cabrini

RADNOR, Pa. – The Cabrini women's basketball team combined an efficient offensive effort and its normal stifling defense to score a 76-59 victory over the Ursinus College Bears in its first outing of 2015.

With tonight's win in their final nonconference game, the Cavaliers improve to 8-3 on the season.

The Blue and White shot a season best .475 from the floor and tied its season best with 29 field goals made.  Cabrini's 20 assists are the most this season, while its 11 turnovers mark a season low.

Senior Amber Keys paced the Cavaliers with 20 points on 9-14 from the floor.  Junior Mo O'Connell added a career high 12 points, connecting on all four of her field goal attempts and 4-5 from the free throw line.

Junior Dana Peterson tallied eight points, while classmate Kristina Startare paired seven points and nine rebounds.  Senior Megan Decker recorded six points, seven boards and four assists in the win.

The Cavaliers jumped ahead early, as Startare completed a pair of three point plays in the game's first four minutes.  Despite shooting 43.78% from the floor in the first 20 minutes, Cabrini was unable to pull away from the Bears, who connected on 40% from the field.

A pair of O'Connell free throws sent Cabrini into the halftime break with a 36-27 lead, matching the Cavaliers' largest lead of the half.

Ursinus used a 7-2 run to open the second half to cut the Cabrini deficit to 38-34 just two minutes into the half.  The Blue and White responded with a 21-4 run of its own to extend its lead to 59-38 with 9:17 on the clock.

Sophomore Renee Oliver secured a career best seven rebounds, while freshman Caroline Price scored a season high six points to go with three assists.  

Junior Jessica Porada led Ursinus (3-8) with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore Hannah Kelly added 12 points off the bench.  Junior Caroline Shimrock also tallied 11 points for the Bears.    

The Cavaliers will hit the road on Wednesday, as they visit Keystone College (5-6, 2-0 CSAC).  Tip is slated for 7 p.m. in La Plume, Pa.