12/13/2008
Women's Basketball Loses to Salem State, 69-64

WORCESTER, MA 12/13/08 - The Clark University women's basketball team suffered its fourth straight loss at the hands of Salem State College, 69-64, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at the Kneller Athletic Center.

The victory puts Salem at 4-4 on the season while drops Clark to 3-5.

The first 12 minutes of the game featured five ties and four lead changes, as the two teams traded baskets to start. During that run, the final lead change came in favor of Clark when freshman Maggie Croft (East Aurora, NY) drained a shot from three point territory to make it 15-13.

Clark would eventually build their lead to five points on Sarah Roderigue's (Oakland, Me.) jumper at 9:20. But, the Vikings stormed back with a 10-2 burst highlighted by back-to-back trey's from Katie Bielonko (Chicopee, Mass.) and first-year Breanna Comeau (Amesbury, Mass.) to put the visitors on top 26-23.

Roderigue knotted the score (26-26) for the seventh time in the half with a three-pointer at 5:27, but Salem State built a 10-point margin and headed into the break up, 40-32.

Clark's Roderigue led all first half scorers with 15 points.

Salem State shot 48.5 percent from the field and 66.7 percent (6-9) from three-point land in the first half to Clark's 30.2 percent from the field and 20.0 percent (3-15) clip from range.

The Cougars came out swinging in the opening minutes of the second half. They went on a 12-2 scoring run, reclaiming the lead (44-42) when Croft hit another key three at 15:53. The run was sparked when forward Jill Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.), who notched her third double-double of the season, pulled down an offensive rebound and converted the basket.

Clark, which utilized its defense to stagnate the Lady Vikings, did not allow the visitors to lead by more than three-points over the next 6:50 span. However, senior Lauren Wholley's (Danvers, Mass.) layup at 7:06 opened up a 9-4 burst that ended with Bielonkos trifecta and an eight-point SSC advantage (65-57) with 2:59 to play.

Clark trimmed the deficit to five twice with the last coming with 31 ticks on the clock. The Cougars were forced to foul in the closing seconds, but got to within four of the visitors before running out of time.

Freshman Amy Barry (Manchester, N.H.) finished the game with 17 points, including four three pointers, on 6-for-15 shooting from the field for Salem State. Bielonko had 16 points, while Comeau added 10 points. Junior Manise Louinord (Lynn, Mass.) finished the game with top-rebounding honors with 14, and classmate Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough, Mass.) had 13 boards  11 on the defensive end.

Roderigue led Clark scorers with 20 points (7-17), three three-pointers, and eight rebounds. Camilleri chipped in with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while senior Sarah Hagstrom (Yarmouth, Me.) dished out a season-high nine assists.

Clark will be traveling to Orlando, Florida to participate in the Land of Magic Classic Dec. 29-30. Clark will play Calvin (Mich.) on December 29 (10 am). Salem State will host its own Christmas Tournament and will face Medgar Evers College on the 29th.

By: Chris Wiklund, Sports Information Intern