Gators Triumph Over Westminster

Dec 20, 2004

Boxscore

MEADVILLE, Pa. - With two players scoring in double figures and three grabbing double-digit rebounds, the Allegheny College women’s basketball team started a new win streak with a 60-46 victory over visiting Westminster College.

Junior forward Courtney Steding (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) and senior guard Raelynn Miles (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) each recorded double-doubles in the win.

The Gators used a pressing defense to force the Titans into eight turnovers in five minutes to build a 10-1 lead on five lay-ups, including three by Miles. All three of Miles’ baskets came off her own steal.

The Titans returned the pressure and got within one point with 4:23 to play in the first half but that was as close as they’d come for the game. A block by sophomore forward Jennifer Latronica (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes) led to a basket by senior forward Meredith McDonough (Pittsburgh, Pa./Oakland Catholic), which built the Gator lead back to six points.

With 58 seconds to go in the half, Desiree Sterling made a lay-up to cut the Titan deficit to one point again, but an offensive rebound by Steding led to a lay-up at the buzzer to give the Gators a three-point halftime advantage.

The Gators quickly built the lead back to 10 in the early goings of the second half and then traded baskets with the visitors before the Titans got within two points with 10:12 to play.

After a timeout by Westminster, the Gators used fresh legs to press hard and create a 16-4 run over the next eight minutes. The run was fueled by two offensive put backs by junior guard Caitlin Murtagh (Bethel Park, Pa./Seton LaSalle) and Miles, and two three-pointers by sophomore guard Katie Kestler (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) to go ahead 59-45.

For the game, Steding finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Miles added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Murtagh also grabbed 10 rebounds and scored seven points, while dishing out six assists.

Erica Tallo finished with a double-double for the Titans with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Mary Jane Eaton grabbed five offensive rebounds and totaled eight for the game. Sterling was the game’s high-scorer with 14 points.

The Gators improve to .500 with the win making them 4-4 overall, while the Titans fall to 7-3.

Allegheny will return to the court after the holiday when they host Mount Union for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on the 29th of December.

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