12/11/2008
Women's Basketball Suffers Third Straight Loss at Hands of #12 Amherst College

AMHERST, MA - The 12th-ranked Amherst College women's basketball team improved to 9-0 on the season with a 77-55 win over Clark University at LeFrak Gymnasium. The Lord Jeffs increased their winning streak at home to 22 games, while the Cougars fell to 3-4 on the year.

Amherst's high-powered offense was missing in action during the first six minutes of the game, as Clark held the hosts to only two points to lead 8-2 with 14 minutes remaining in the first half. Neither team was able to get into an early rhythm, with the Jeffs and Cougars each scoring only eight points in the opening 8:00.

The Jeffs took their first lead on a three pointer by first-year Kim Fiorentino (Holmdel, NJ), but first-year Kate Minister (Manchester, UK) responded with a jumper in the paint to give her team a 12-11 lead. The visitors would push their lead to as many as five points, but Amherst closed out the half on a 20-2 run to lead 37-24 at the break.

Clark could not creep closer to within 11 points, as Amherst suddenly led by 20 (50-30) four minutes into the second half. The lead hovered between 15 and 24 points for the rest of the way, and the Jeffs walked away with the 22-point victory to mark the ninth time this season they have held their opponent to fewer than 60 points.

Senior Stacy Brossy (Lukachukai, AZ) led all scorers with a career-high 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, as she connected on five attempts from beyond the arc. No other Amherst player finished in double digits, but nine other players scored at least four points each.

Amherst sophomores Jaci Daigneault (Guilford, CT) and Courtney Long (Norwich, CT) and first-year Lem Atanga McCormick (Chicago, IL) each had seven rebounds and combined for 18 points, while sophomore Sarah Leyman (Cincinnati, OH) had nine points and a game-high nine boards.

Daigneault added a career-high five assists and three steals, and first-year Shannon Finucane (Cortland, NY) set career highs in assists (8) and steals (6) to go along with eight points.

Senior co-captain Sarah Roderigue (Oakland, ME) led the Cougars with 15 points and five rebounds, while first-year Ivori Aiken (Harlem, NY) chipped in with 11 points. Junior Jillian Camilleri (Lancaster, MA) led Clark with seven rebounds and was 2-for-4 from the floor.

Clark will host Salem State College in their final home game of the semester on Saturday (1 p.m.).

Courtesy of Amherst College Sports Information