SYRACUSE, NY (December 22, 2009) – The Kutztown University women's basketball team found its groove after intermission and pulled away to defeat Le Moyne College, 66-54, Tuesday afternoon at Ted Grant Court. (BOXSCORE)
The streaking Golden Bears (6-2 overall) won their third consecutive contest. More importantly, Kutztown remained perfect on the road by improving its away mark to 3-0. Kutztown used balanced its balance, deft shooting touch and experience to drop Le Moyne's record to 4-7. The Golden Bears lead the all-time series, 4-3.
Riding the strong shooting of senior guard Rachel Wisemiller (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) (Hazleton/Hazleton), Kutztown placed four players in double figures. It was the fifth time this season Kutztown has had four or more players reach double digits in the same game. Wisemiller, last week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division player of the week, finished with a team-high 18 points. Wisemiller made four 3-pointers—the fourth straight game she has made at least three 3-pointers. It was also the 40th game in Wisemiller's career she has scored in double figures.
Junior forward Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) (Pittsburgh/Shaler recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 14 rebounds. McQuade has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games. She also finished with five assists.
Seniors Chauntelle Schroeder (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa) (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa) and Vivian Melvin (Chichester, PA/Chichester) (Chichester/Chichester) combined to score 22 of KU's 41 points in the second half. Schroeder scored 11 of her 15 points after intermission. Melvin erupted for all of her points in the second half. Junior guard Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan) (Richmond, VA/Monacan) added seven points and five assists. As a team, Kutztown finished with 19 assists on 25 baskets.
“Vivian and Chauntelle played well in the second half,” Kutztown women's basketball coach Janet Malouf said. “Rachel shot the ball well throughout the game. For us, it was important to get a win after such a long layoff.”
The Golden Bears were taking the court after a 13-day layoff and after traveling 31/2 hours up Interstate 81. The combination of the long trip and being away from the court contributed to Kutztown shooting 32.2 percent (10-for-31) in the opening half. The first half featured five lead changes and two ties. Wisemiller sank a 3-pointer to give Kutztown a 25-23 intermission edge. The Golden Bears never trailed again. In all six of its victories, the Golden Bears have not trailed in the second half.
Melvin scored five straight points during a quick 7-0 blitz to begin the second half to give Kutztown a 32-23 lead with 16 minutes, 21 seconds remaining. Schroeder then went to work midway through the second half. She scored seven of Kutztown's next 15 points to help the Golden Bears open their largest advantage of the game, 47-32 with 9:46 remaining.
The host Dolphins made a late run at Kutztown. After Wisemiller scored a layup to put the Golden Bears ahead, 53-42, with 5:58 remaining, Le Moyne scored seven straight points to slice KU's advantage to 53-49 with 4:51 remaining. The Dolphins would get no closer as Wisemiller and McQuade made consecutive baskets and energetic freshman Ashley Wood (Limerick, PA/Spring-Ford) (Royersford/Spring-Ford) made a 3-pointer.
“In the second half, I thought we played more like we normally play,” Malouf said. “It took us one half to get back into the swing. I think our success on the road is a tribute to our veteran team playing hard and enjoying the game. They don't get rattled.”
Kutztown returns to action Tuesday afternoon when it travels to Philadelphia University beginning at 2 p.m.
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