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Herons finish 2nd in Moravian Tournament
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Stephanie Czajkowski |
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Erin Cunningham |
January 6, 2007
BETHLEHEM, Pa.—The William Smith basketball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 70-49 victory over Lincoln University before falling in double overtime to William Paterson University 83-81 in the STARTERS Moravian Winter Classic. Junior forward Stephanie Czajkowski (Bishop Ludden/Syracuse, N.Y.) and first-year forward Erin Cunningham (Morris Knolls/Roskaway, N.J.) both earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
On Friday night, Czajkowski led the Herons (6-4) with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Junior guard Marisa Vespa (Immaculate Heart/Watertown, N.Y.) narrowly missed a double-double as well, finishing with 10 points and nine assists. Cunningham chipped in 12 points, while senior guard Paula Foote (Sidney/Sidney, N.Y.) also had 10.
William Smith led the Lions (4-5) 35-26 at halftime and enjoyed a double digit lead for nearly all of the second half. The Herons led by as many as 23 after the break shooting 41.6 percent from the floor for the game. William Smith also harassed Lincoln into 27 turnovers, while committing just 16.
In the tournament championship game on Saturday afternoon, the Herons trailed William Paterson (12-2) by 11 at halftime, but outscored the Pioneers 15-5 to start the second half, seizing the lead. William Smith was able to expand its advantage to as many as six in the waning minutes and still led by four on a Czajkowski layup with 60 seconds remaining.
However, Michelle Pellichero (23 pts) hit a three to make it a one-point game with 53 seconds to go. Neither team managed to score again, until Lori Custis (16 pts) drew a foul with just three ticks remaining. After missing the first free throw, she sank the second to tie the game at 65-all and force overtime.
In the first extra session, the Herons scored the first basket and led the entire stanza until Pellichero hit a three with 30 seconds to go to again tie the game (73-all) and necessitate another overtime.
The next five minutes of play belonged to the Pioneers, who did not trail in route to the tournament title.
Cunningham paced three Herons in double figures with 19 points. Czajkowski added 18 points, while Foote chipped in 14. Vespa dished out 10 assists.
William Smith will open its Liberty League schedule on Jan. 12, when the Herons host St. Lawrence University. Tipoff in Bristol Gym is scheduled for 6 p.m.