WEST CHESTER, Pa. (January 19, 2011) – Ashley Wood (Limerick, PA/Spring-Ford) scored 20 points and Melissa McQuade (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) became the all-time leading rebounder in school history during Kutztown University's 75-67 setback to West Chester University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division women's basketball contest Wednesday night at Hollinger Field House. (BOXSCORE)
With the loss, Kutztown (8-7 overall, 1-2 PSAC East) dropped two games behind West Chester (11-4, 3-0) in the conference standings.
Also reaching double digits for Kutztown was Steph Zewe (Lewistown, PA/Indian Valley) and Meredith Starr (Richmond, VA/Monacan). They finished with 13 points each. Zewe recorded her third double-double of the season with 10 rebounds. Brittany Le Van turned in a solid game as she pulled down a career high eight rebounds.
McQuade finished with nine rebounds to up her career total to 849. She passed Mercedes Van Wagner's total of 841 with 11 minutes, 55 seconds remaining in the first half. She had to work hard for career carom 842. McQuade tipped a missed Wood shot to herself three times before controlling the ball. The breakdown of her rebounds are 243 offensive and 606 defensive.
In addition, McQuade became the third Kutztown women's basketball player in school history to top 1,400 career points. She moved past Robin Avery and into second place on the KU all-time scoring list behind Amy Wahl. McQuade has 1,406 career points and is 29 points from surpassing Wahl's career standard of 1,434 points.
McQuade played two years with Van Wagner as a freshman and sophomore and learned a lot from her.
“She always worked hard and was a leader,” McQuade said. “Those qualities rubbed off on me. I am definitely honored to break her record. I spoke with her last week and she told me I better break it. She's so happy for me. Mercedes is one of my best friends.”
Unfortunately, McQuade's milestone took a backseat as the Golden Rams ended a four-game losing streak to Kutztown by rallying from a 13-point halftime deficit.
West Chester was led by Megan Stewart's game-high 22 points and Allison Hostetter's double-double (13 points, 14 rebounds). The Golden Rams scored 30 points in the final 10 minutes to overtake Kutztown.
The first half belonged to Wood, who deposited 17 points for the Golden Bears. Trailing, 20-15, with 11 minutes remaining in the opening half, the Golden Bears used a 21-5 run to open a 38-25 halftime lead. Wood was the catalyst scoring 10 points during the surge.
Kutztown returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts East Stroudsburg University beginning at 1 p.m.
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