The Albertus Magnus women's basketball team captured the Boston Invitational Tournament title on Sunday with an 86-66 victory over host Pine Manor in the championship contest. With the victory, the Falcons improve to 4-0 to open the 2011-12 season, marking their best start in program history.
Senior Bianca Brown (West Haven, Conn.) led the Falcons with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while she added four blocked shots in 26 minutes of work. Brown combined for 35 points and 21 rebounds during the weekend as she was named to the All-Tournament Team, while also being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Lindsay Karle (Wallingford, Conn.), who finished the day with 11 points, shooting 3-of-6 from behind the arc, was also named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts throughout the weekend. The sophomore combined for 25 points in two games played as she has now registered double figures in each of the Falcons' four contests.
In today's victory, Albertus used an 11-0 run with 11:34 remaining in the first half to take a 23-12 lead and never looked back. Karle led the Falcons during that span as she connected on back-to-back three pointers to extend the Falcons' advantage.
Just before intermission, the Falcons went on a 13-0 run to take a 22-point lead after 20 minutes of play.
Albertus shot 45.2% in the first half then bettered that tally in the second half as the Falcons shot 48.4% from the floor to lead them to their highest point tally of the season. The Falcons shot 50% from three-point land as well, which helped the cause as they made six of their 12 attempts. On the free throw line, the Falcons hit 12-of-19.
The Falcons scored 46 of their 86 points in the paint, while 18 of their points were scored off 15 Pine Manor turnovers.
Lianna Carerro (Hamden, Conn.) had a solid game as well, shooting 7-of-10 from the field, for 16 points. She also grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists. Shannon Brackeen (New Haven, Conn.) shot 5-of-6 from the floor for 11 points, while senior Sarah Boudreau (Pascoag, R.I.) grabbed 10 rebounds and scored nine points for the Falcons.
Pine Manor senior Therline Dumeran finished with a game-high 30 points while collecting 12 rebounds for her third-straight double-double. Pine Manor falls to 2-1 with its first loss of the season.
Albertus will travel to Henniker, N.H. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 to face New England College in non-conference action. Game time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
All-Tournament Team:
New Rochelle: Elizabeth Johnston (Jr., Plano, TX)
Lesley: Emily Fleming (So., Medford, MA)
Pine Manor: Therline Dumeran (Sr., Cambridge, MA)
Pine Manor: Yiafia Dowridge (Sr., White Plains, NY)
Albertus Magnus: Lindsay Karle (So., Wallingford, CT)
Albertus Magnus: Bianca Brown (Sr., West Haven, CT) – Tournament MVP