01/14/2009
Camilleri Sets Rebound Record in Women's Basketball Win Over Smith College

WORCESTER, MASS. 1/14/09 - Junior Jillian Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.) set a new school mark for rebounds in a game with 24 in Clark University's 54-45 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory over Smith College in women's basketball action at the Kneller Athletic Center on Wednesday night.

Camilleri, who also netted a game-high 19 points, broke the previous rebound record (22) set by Tara McGuire '89 and Kelley O'Brien '83. She grabbed 10 offensive and 14 defensive boards in the win.

Freshman Kate Minister (Manchester, England) added 11 points, six assists and three blocks for Clark.

Smith was paced by sophomore Jessica Welk (Arlington, Wash.) with 13 points. Senior Courtney Parker (Ocean City, Md.) and junior Lisa Marie Vuono (Lyndhurst, N.J.) had 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.

The lead changed four times in the first eight minutes of the game, before Clark used an 11-5 burst for a 22-17 advantage at 5:59. The Cougars held on for a 26-22 halftime edge.

Neither team had a player score in double figures, but Camilleri grabbed 10 of her career-best 24 rebounds in the first half.

Clark increased its lead to six on several occasions in the second half. Camilleri's jumper made it 36-30 at 9:55, before Smith inched within one (37-38) on a trey by Welk with 7:04 left to play. However, the Cougar's ignited an 11-2 run featuring a pair of three-pointers from Minister to keep the game out of reach.

Neither team shot well from the field, with Clark at a 38.3 percent clip and Smith finishing 26.4 percent from the floor. Clark dominated on the boards, however, out-rebounding the Pioneers, 54-41.

Both teams return to NEWMAC action on Saturday. Clark (6-7, 2-1 NEWMAC) will host WPI at 1 p.m., while Smith will entertain Wheaton College at 2 p.m.