Jan. 23, 2010

Box Score

Season Statistics (PDF)

VALPARAISO, Ind. – It was a game of spurts on Saturday afternoon at the Athletic Recreation Center, but time ran short on the Wright State women’s basketball team in a 59-52 setback at Valparaiso. The Raiders trimmed a double-digit Crusader lead to just one point with 5:19 to play, but VU closed the game on a 12-6 run to grab the victory in the Horizon League contest.

The three pointer was falling early for the two teams as the each squad hit three, three pointers in the first 12 minutes. LaShawna Thomas opened the scoring for WSU with a trey, while Betsy Adams hit two threes to get the VU offense started.

Valparaiso eventually led 12-5, but WSU would respond with a 12-5 run of their own to tie the game at 17 apiece. During the run, Maria Bennett connected on a pair of three pointers, running her streak to 25 straight games with a field goal from distance, and Ta-myra Davis chipped in four points.  Thomas made a driving layup to knot the score with 5:11 to play, but WSU couldn’t grab the lead from VU.

The Crusaders closed out the first half on a 10-3 spurt, with Ashley Varner ending the half by making a layup as the horn sounded. It was a 27-20 edge for Valpo at the break, as a Thomas three pointer was the only points for WSU over the final five minutes.

In the second half, the Valparaiso lead reached ten when Kenny converted the first of two free throws, but Bennett connected on a three on the next possession to make it a 39-32 contest with 12:34 to play in the game. The Crusaders pushed their lead to 12 points with an 8-3 run over the next three minutes, making it a 47-35 ballgame.

Back-to-back baskets from Davis, followed by a layup and free throw from Thomas cut the lead to five points with 6:02 to play. The VU lead was five points, 47-42, when Bennett connected from three point range, again, and, on the play, Erica Richardson was fouled and made one of two at the line to cut the Valpo lead to just one.

Adams followed the WSU surge with a three pointer from the corner and Kenney made a bucket in the lane to extend the Crusaders lead to 52-46 with 3:40 to play. The Crusaders would hang on down the stretch to claim the victory and improve to 6-12 overall and 3-4 in Horizon League play.

Davis posted a double-double for the Raiders with 12 points and 11 rebounds, to go along with one assist. Thomas added 13 points and Bennett hit four three pointers to end the game with 12 points. The Raiders bench outscored Valpo’s reserves 24-19, but VU shot 46-percent for the game, compared to just 39-percent for Wright State.

The Green and Gold will return to Dayton for a four-game home stand, starting on Thursday, January 28 with a 5:00 contest versus Cleveland State. The Raiders are 5-12 overall and 1-6 in league play and will host the Vikings (10-8, 5-2 HL) in the first game of a double-header with the men’s basketball team.

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