Mar 06, 2015
SCRANTON, Pa. – Baruch College raced out to an early 20-point lead, then held off Stevens Institute of Technology for a 70-59 victory in the first round of the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament on Friday in the John Long Center at The University of Scranton.
The Bearcats (25-4) advance to the second round, where they will face Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the John Long Center. Eastern Connecticut State defeated the host, Scranton, 50-48, in Friday's other opening-round game.
Baruch used a 21-0 run to take a 25-5 lead midway through the first half, and led 36-25 at halftime. They kept the lead around 10 for most of the second half before Stevens rallied in final five minutes, using an 11-2 run to draw to within 63-58 with 1:43 left. But Baruch scored seven of the game's final eight points to secure the win.
Senior guard Francess Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood) led Baruch with a game-high 24 points to go along with six assists, four steals and four rebounds. Senior guard Iyana Abrams (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) had 12 points, five assists, three steals and three rebounds, sophomore guard Veronica Ganzi (Glendale, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) had 11 points, and senior forward Sheridan Taylor (Peekskill, N.Y./Peekskill) had nine points, 16 rebounds, three steals and two assists.
The Bearcats shot 50 percent (28-for-56) from the field and overcame 22 turnovers by scoring 22 fast-break points.
Stevens (22-5) was led by junior guard Kaitlyn Astel (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Tech), who had 13 points. Junior guard Miranda Ripken (Fallston, Md./John Carroll School) added 11 points, and freshman forward Anna Toke (Lincoln Park, N.Y./Morris Catholic) had 12 rebounds.
The Ducks shot 21-for-67 (31.3 percent) from the field, including 4-for-20 from 3-point range. They won the rebounding battle, 45-41, but committed 25 turnovers, including 19 in the first half.
Tickets for all games: $6.00 General Admission; $3.00 Students/Senior Citizens
Women's Basketball Game Times at the University of Scranton
Friday, March 6
Baruch 70, Stevens 59
Eastern Connecticut State 50, #15 Scranton 48
Saturday, March 7
Baruch vs Eastern Connecticut State, 5;00 pm