Feb. 12, 2007

Box Score

Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College women's basketball team used a rally to pull within one late, but it was not enough as they fell to visiting Monmouth University by a final of 59-50 tonight at the Spiro Sports Center.

Wagner (3-21; 1-12 NEC) received a career-high 16 rebounds from senior Takesha Dye (Boyton Beach, FL / Daytona Beach CC) and held Monmouth (15-9; 8-5 NEC) to 27 percent shooting in the first half, but it was not enough as the Seahawks lost their sixth straight.

Monmouth would take an early 11-6 lead after offensive put back by Brooke McElroy at the 12:47 mark of the first half. The ever resilient Seahawks, then rallied defensively holding the Hawks to just one field goal over the next nine and a half minutes of play. With the defense in check, the balanced Wagner offense would receive contributions from four different players as the team used a 14-3 run to take a 19-14 lead with less than four minutes to play before half time. Two minutes later the Seahawks took their largest lead at 23-17 after a free throw from junior Ieva Sulskyte (Vinius, Lithuania / Dayton Beach CC) before four straight points from Monmouth's Nyaimah Ware left Wagner ahead 23-21 at the half.

The Hawks would keep the momentum as the second half started building up a four point lead (29-25) with a pair of three-pointers in the first three minutes. With both teams struggling from the field, Wagner remained down by four (38-34) after a basket inside by sophomore Olivia Nagle (Acton, MA / Acton Boxborough) at the 8:25 juncture. Monmouth then set off on a six point surge over the next two minutes as they went on top 44-34 following a pair of free throws from Lindsey Zegowitz.

Wagner was then down 49-41 with 3:48 to play when freshmen guard Andrea Reed (Pocomoke City, MD / Pocomoke) caught fire scoring five straight of her game high 12 points. The Seahawks closed to with in one (49-48) following a jumper by junior Chelsey Bunyer (Shannon, IL / Eastland ) with 2:17 to play. Monmouth answered with a 9-0 run that sealed the game as Wagner committed two straight turnovers and missed their next three shots.

Bunyer matched Reed with a game high 12 points for Wagner which shot 32.8 percent for the game, but went 0-7 from three in the second half. Reed also had four assists and three steals in the contest for Wagner. The rebounds were even at 41-41 including the 16 from Dye.

Veronica Randolph led Monmouth with 11 points while Brianne Edwards finished with 10. The Hawks shot 50.0 percent in the second half and ended the game hitting 37.7 percent.

The Seahawks are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Saint Francis (PA) for a 4:00 pm tilt.