Basketball

Engineers end Lions Best Season Ever

From WPI Sports Information - 3/7/09

Game Boxscore

WORCESTER, MASS. --- Serena Dubois and Natasha Deschene each notched double-doubles to help lift second-seeded WPI to a 52-43 victory over sixth-seeded Emerson in an ECAC New England Championship women’s basketball semifinal contest Saturday afternoon at WPI’s Harrington Auditorium.

With the win, the Engineers improve to 23-6 on the season, equaling the school record for victories in a season with the 1995-96 and 2006-2007 teams.

Emerson took its largest lead of the game at 22-13, but the Engineer defense would not allow a Lion field goal during the last 7:40 of the first half and, in the process, embarked upon an 11-1 run to take a 24-23 advantage into the locker room at intermission. The strong defensive effort continued in the second half, as the Engineers held the Lions to 19.4% shooting from the floor after the break.

The Crimson and Gray parlayed 16 Emerson turnovers into 16 points while outscoring the Lions 28-18 in the paint. The visitors received a boost from its bench, as the Emerson reserves outscored its WPI counterparts by a 18-2 margin.

Dubois canned 8-of-13 shots from the floor en route to registering a game-best 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds. It marked her ninth double-double of the season and 14th of her career. Deschene finished with 11 points and 10 boards, marking the fourth time she has reached her career-high in rebounding this season. Caitlin Macko and Melissa Kuhn each added eight points.

Lauren Zanniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) paced Emerson with 12 points and game-bests of 13 rebounds and three blocks. Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) chipped in with eight points and 11 rebounds while Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) contributed six points and eight rebounds.

The Lions see their season conclude with a 21-9 record, besting the old school standard for wins in a season by five.

Lions Season Continues after 76-66 Upset of Endicott

From Endicott College Sports Information 3/4/09

Game Boxscore

BEVERLY, Mass. – Emerson College had two players record double-doubles as the No. 6 seeded Lions upset the Endicott College Gulls, 76-66, in the Quarterfinals of the ECAC Tournament held in Beverly, Mass. on Wednesday night. Emerson’s Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass., left) recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds while Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn., right) chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Lions. Endicott wraps up its season at 23-6 overall, a program record for wins in a season. Emerson is also a program best 21-8, and had dropped a 77-52 decision to Endicott earlier in the season.

Endicott trailed right from the start as the Lions quickly built a 7-0 lead on a Vassallo layup at the 17:22 mark of the first half. The Gulls would rally as Kaylin Burke gave the Gulls their first lead of the contest at 12-11 nearly nine minutes later.

The two teams would trade baskets and the lead seven times in the next five minutes before a Bri Papa (Sr., Camillus, N.Y.) three pointer was followed by a Maude Okrah layup to give the Lions a four point lead at 23-19. The Gulls would enter the half trailing 27-22 as a pair of Ceciley Chisholm free throws with no time on the clock left the Gulls facing the five point deficit.

There was one tie in the half while the lead changed hands eight times. Emerson held the edge 14-8 in points in the paint in the first frame while also scoring nine points off 10 Endicott turnovers. The Gulls were able to force 17 turnovers by the Lions but were only able to come away with six points. Endicott was held to just 23.3% shooting (7-of-30) in the first half while Emerson shot a solid 40% from the field (12-of-30).

Endicott was able to cut into the lead early in the second half as an Ashley Vitale layup made the score 31-27 a minute into the frame. The Lions would respond with a 13-5 run to build their lead up to 12 points at 44-32 on a Rachel Kaye (FY, Wakefield, Mass.) score from downtown. Endicott’s ensuing 5-0 run to get the lead back down to seven would not be enough as Emerson would charge ahead, building an 18 point lead at 55-37.

The Gulls would begin to chip away over the next four minutes as Chisholm sandwiched a pair of layups around a Bri Papa three pointer to make it a 10 point game, 62-52, at the eight minute mark. Endicott continued to apply pressure and chip away, trailing by only three as Ashley Wright would hit a pair of free throws with 2:35 remaining in the game. That would be as close as Endicott would get as the Lions closed out the game on an 11-4 run to move onto the ECAC Semifinals with a 76-66 victory.

Emerson held the edge in points scored inside the key in the second half as well, outscoring the Gulls 18-16 in the paint. The Gulls were able to score 13 points off turnovers while shooting a much improved 44.4% (16-of-36) in the second half. The Lions also improved on their shooting going 15-of-27 (55.6%) from the field in the frame.

For the game, the Gulls were held to 34.8% shooting from the field including going 5-of-17 from beyond the arc. The Gulls were outrebounded 52-30 but committed only 17 turnovers. Endicott had 10 steals on 27 Emerson turnovers but only held the Lions to 47.4% shooting from the field and almost 50% from three point land (7-of-15).

The Gulls were led by senior Nicole Duchesne who had 21 points. Ceciley Chisholm saw her streak of double-doubles end in the postseason as she had 17 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds and four steals. Senior tri-captains Duchesne, Nicole Young , and Jenna Cosgrove all played in their final collegiate game for the Gulls.

Emerson received 21 points from Bri Papa who connected on 6-of-10 three point field goal attempts. Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass., left) chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds while Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) came off the bench to score eight points, grab nine rebounds, and block five shots.

The Gulls have been eliminated from postseason play. Emerson will move onto the ECAC Semifinals to face WPI who defeated Colby-Sawyer, 64-44, in their semifinal matchup. The game will be played at 2p.m. at WPI on Saturday, March 7.

EMMANUEL UPENDS EMERSON TO WIN GNAC CHAMPIONSHIP

From Emmanuel College Sports Information - 2/28/09

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College Women’s Basketball Team won the program’s 13th Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating the 2nd-seeded Lions of Emerson College, 51-40. Sophomore guard Kristin LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) scored a game-high 20 points, hitting 17 of 18 from the free throw line, to lead the top-seeded Saints. Emmanuel (21-7) will now advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in program-history. Emerson (20-8) will receive a bid to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.

The battle between the local rivals was an ugly one, with the teams combining for 65 turnovers and 45 fouls. Emmanuel shot a dismal 15.2% from the field, connecting on just 10 of 66 field goal attempts. Emerson’s shooting was not much better, as the Lions hit just 15 of 54 for 27.8% shooting. The rebounds were even, with each team hauling in 49 boards. The key to the game for the Saints was their free throw shooting. Emmanuel went to the 37 times, as opposed to just 9 visits for the Lions. The Saints shot 78.4% from the charity stripe, knocking down 29 of their 37 freebies.

The Lions kept it close in the early going, with the lead changing hands three times in the opening twenty minutes of play. The Saints’ largest lead of the opening stanza came when LeBel drained two of her seventeen free throws to put Emmanuel up nine, 24-15, with 2:39 on the clock. The 1st-Team All-Conference selection was forced to leave the game early in the first half after falling hard to the floor and suffering a gash above her right eye. LeBel seemed unfazed by the blow, as she returned to the contest just five minutes later and continued to stick her free throws.

Emerson hit just five field goals in the first half and Emmanuel tallied six. After forcing 21 Lions turnovers in the opening half, the Saints were able to take a 26-17 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Lions shooting improved in the second half, but Emerson was never able to fully overcome the deficit. The Lions went to the line just two times in the second half, compared to 22 trips for the Saints. Turnovers continued to plague the visitors, as they finished the contest with 39 on the night. The Saints capitalized, scoring 26 points off the Emerson errors.

Emmanuel scored just four field goals over the entire second half and the Saints did not hit a shot from the floor for the final 5:39 in the contest. With LeBel and sophomore guard Casey Shevlin (Medford, N.Y.) combining to go 10 for 10 from the line over the final minute, Emmanuel was able to come away with the 51-40 win and the program’s 13th GNAC Championship.

LeBel and junior captain Iman Davis (Toms River, N.J.) were the only two double-figure scorers for the Saints. Davis netted 8 points, to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Junior captain Abby Brenkach (Germantown, N.Y.) chipped in with 5 points and hauled in a game-high 13 boards.

For Emerson, GNAC Rookie of the Year Lauren Zaniboni (San Diego, Calif., left) led the way with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Junior guard Andrea Kosek (Latham, N.Y.) added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals in the effort.

GNAC Player of the Year Iman Davis was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. LeBel and Brenkach were named to the All-Tournament Team for Emmanuel. Zaniboni and Kathy Andrade (Hull, Mass.) received All-Tournament Team honors for the Lions.

Emerson now awaits the selection of the Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Division III tournament field on Monday. It is expected that the Lions will play a Wednesday night game at a site and with an opponent to be determined.

Lions Move on To GNAC Semis with 74-45 victory over Suffolk

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS.—Second seeded Emerson College placed four players in double figures and held number seven seed Suffolk University to 28% shooting from the field to advance to the semi-finals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Tournament with a 74-45 win in Emerson’s Brown-Plofker Gym.

The Lions were led by Lauren Zaniboni’s (So., San Diego, Calif.) 17 points.  Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) added a dozen while Bri Papa (Sr., Camillus, N.Y.), and Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) each had 11.

Emerson held a 21-14 lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half. The Lions outscored the Rams 21-8 to end the half with a 42-22 advantage. Solid defense was the key for Emerson as the team outscored Suffolk 15-0 in points off turnovers, and held a 14-2 edge in bench scoring.

Emerson ran the second half lead to 32 points on a basket by Laura Chenier (Jr., Holyoke, Mass.) with 2:00 remaining. The Lions’ domination in bench scoring and points off turnovers continued in the second half as Emerson had a 13-5 advantage of turnovers and 13-8 advantage in bench scoring. Suffolk had 10 more turnovers than the Lions.

Meghan Tracy was the only Ram player in double figures with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Suffolk ends the season with a 14-12 record. Emerson (19-7) advances to the Conference semifinals on Friday evening at Emmanuel College. The Lions will play third seeded Norwich University at 7:30p.m. and will be in search of the first 20 win season in the history of the program.

Lions Rally to knock off Albertus Magnus

Game Boxscore

NEW HAVEN, CONN -- Emerson College (18-7, 10-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) went on a 19-2 run to erase a five-point second half deficit and took home a 68-56 win at Albertus Magnus College (7-17, 2-11 GNAC).

The Lions trailed by as much as eight points in the opening stanza, but a Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) jump shot gave Emerson a 29-27 lead with 2:04 left in the first half. Albertus tied the game at 29, but Zaniboni hit two free throws with 1:36 left in the half to give the Lions a two point half time edge.

A jump shot and two Liz Williams free throws gave Albertus the lead just 51 seconds into the second half and a Nikki McClease jumper in the paint stretched the lead back to eight points with 15:03 remaining. Emerson fought back to cut the lead to a 45-44 on a Zaniboni jumper, but McClease answered with a three and Williams canned two foul shots to move the lead back to 49-44. A Rachel Kaye (Fr., Wakefield, Mass.) three cut the lead to two points. Dena Mentel retaliated with a three of her own to make the score 52-47 with 9:06 remaining.

Emerson then went on a 19-2 run over the next 6:20 with Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn., above left) scoring 10 points for Emerson over that stretch. Albertus was not able to move closer than a 10 point deficit the remainder of the game.

Vassallo led four Lions in double figures with 17 points and added 12 rebounds. Zaniboni had a double-double with 16 points and 14 boards. Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) had a dozen points and Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) added 10.

McClease had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Albertus, while Williams chipped in 12 points.

Emerson will host a first round GNAC Tournament game on Tuesday at 5p.m.

Lions set School Victory Mark in Win over St. Joseph

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. -- The Emerson College women’s basketball team set a school record for victories in a season with 17 as the Lions (17-7, 9-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) hammered St. Joseph (Conn.) College (3-20, 1-9 GNAC) 80-56

The Lions recovered from a slow start facing a 21-10 deficit with 11:03 remaining in the first half. An 8-0 run pulled the Lions to within three and Emerson forged a 30-30 tie with two Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif) free throws. Emerson ended the half with a 10-0 run to take a 38-30 halftime lead

The St. Joseph College women battered Emerson from the three-point line late into the first half hitting six of 13 three-point field goals taken.

St. Joseph pulled within eight points with just over 18 minutes remaining in the game, but Emerson answered with an Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) three-pointer to push the lead back to double digits. Throughout the half Zaniboni consistently dropped two point shots on the Blue Jays pushing Emerson’s lead as high as 28 points.

Leading scorer Zaniboni had 21 points. Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Lauren Vasallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) had 10 points.

For the Blue Jays, Ilaria Schiano totaled 24 points. Gina Morales added 10 points.

The Emerson women next take on Albertus Magnus College on February 21 at 1:30p.m. in New Haven, Conn. in the team's final regular season game.

LIONS DOWN SAINTS FOR FIRST TIME EVER

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. – The Emerson College Lions (16-7, 8-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) built a 10 point halftime lead and then had to rally to defeat Emmanuel College (15-7, 8-1 GNAC) 70-66 at Emerson’s Brown-Plofker Gym. The victory for the Lions is the first over Emmanuel in the history of the program.

Following a sloppy start in which neither team scored for the first 2:43 of the game, Emmanuel’s Abby Brenkach hit a layup to open the scoring. Emmanuel opened a 10-6 lead on a Karen Bird jump shot, but Emerson rallied to take a 12-10 lead on layups by Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn., above left), Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.), and Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.)

From that point on the two teams traded baskets and leads until Emerson went on a 9-0 run to take a 28-20 lead with 6:05 remaining in the opening stanza. Jumpers by Kristin LeBel and Bird brought the Saints to within four but Emerson answered with layups by Vassallo and Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) to stretch the lead back to eight. LeBel dropped in a jump shot, but two Zanaboni free throws and a three ball from Rachel Kaye (FY, Wakefield, Mass.) gave the Lions an 11 point lead at the 1:03 mark. LaBel connected on a big three for the Saints only 18 seconds later, and Vassallo ended the first half scoring with a layup for a 39-29 Lion lead.

Emmanuel opened the second half strongly with a 12 - 4 run to begin the period. Another Lebel Jump shot pulled the Saints within a basket at 43-41. Emerson countered with seven straight points, capped by a Bri Papa (Sr., Camilus, N.Y.) trifecta for a 50-41 Lion lead with 14:32 remaining.  After the teams traded baskets, Emmanuel began to assert itself defensively holding the Lions down over the next 4:40 while going on a 9-4 run

The Saints continued to chip away at the Emerson lead and took a 59-58 lead on a Liz Brooks layup with 7:07 left. Zaniboni hit the front end of a two shot foul to tie the game, but Brooks hit a traditional three-point play at the other end to give Emmanuel a 62-59 lead. Layups by Kaye and Andrade sandwiched around a Saint turnover moved the score to 63-62 with 5:41 left.

Iman Davis bagged a layup at the 3:48 mark, then hit two free throws with 3:05 remaining to give the Saints a 66-63 advantage.  Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) canned a jump shot for Emerson at 2:46 to pull the Lions to within one, and Emerson took advantage of a missed Emmanuel shot to take a 67-66 lead on an Andrade jumper at the 2:05 mark. Neither team was able to score from the field for the remainder of the contest, with Emerson getting two free throws from Kosek and one from Andrade to account for the final margin.

Emerson placed four players in double figures led by Andrade with 13 points. Vassallo had 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Okrah and Kaye each had 10 points. Zaniboni had nine points and 10 rebounds, while Kosek and Papa each dropped in eight. Kosek also had eight rebounds and eight assists.

LeBel and Davis tied for game scoring honors with 19 points each, while Brooks had a dozen. Davis also added 10 rebounds.

The win solidifies Emerson’s hold on second place in the GNAC and guarantees Emerson a home playoff game in the first round of the Conference tournament on February 24. Emmanuel remains in first place in the GNAC.

Emerson hosts St. Joseph (Conn.) College Saturday at 3p.m.

LIONS ROLL OVER NORWICH WOMEN 67-47

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. -- In what Emerson College coach Bill Gould called, "the best game we've played in my two years here", the Emerson College Lions (15-7, 7-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) moved into second place in the GNAC with s 67-47 thrashing of Norwich University (13-6, 6-2 GNAC).

Emerson had four players in double figures and another with nine points, led by Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn., left) who had 13 points and 15 rebounds. Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) also netted 13 points and pulled in eight boards.

Norwich ran out to a 19-11 lead with 8:02 left in the first half on a free throw by Tara Stevenson \and looked poised to run the Lions out of the building. Emerson rallied on a layup by Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) and a jump shot by Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.). Two Ally Daniels (Jr., Concord, N.H.) free throws moved the lead back to six, but Vassallo answered with a layup, then Bri Papa (Sr., Camilus, N.Y.) nailed a jumper to make the score 21-19. Christine Daniels momentarily stopped the bleeding with a jump shot, but an Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) jumper and a layup by Andrade tied the game at 23. Following two missed free throws by Christine Daniels, Papa nailed a three-pointer to give Emerson a 26-23 lead with 4:34 left in the half. Including Papa's three, Emerson closed the half with an 11-2 run for a 32-25 lead at the break.

Emerson scored the first four points of the second half and managed to maintain the lead for the first 10 minutes. Norwich made a last gasp effort pulling to within 48-41 with 9:03 left on a Christine Daniels jumper, but Emerson's Rachel Kaye (FY, Wakefield, Mass.) answered with a trifecta and the lead never slipped below eight point the remainder of the game.

In addition to Vassallo and Andrade, Okrah with a dozen points and Kosek with 11 were in double figures for the Lions. Stevenson's 13 points led Norwich, while the Daniels sisters chipped in with 11 by Christine and 10 by Ally.

Emerson hosts the GNAC's top team, Emmanuel College, on Wednesday evening at 7p.m.

Lions Work OT to Defeat Suffolk, 62-61

From Suffolk University Sports Information - 2/4/09

Game Boxscore

Boston, MASS. -- The Suffolk University Women’s Basketball team (3-5 GNAC, 10-9 overall) ended the second half on a 10-0 run to send it to overtime, but it wasn’t enough as Emerson College (5-3 GNAC, 14-7) escaped with a 62-61 victory at Suffolk’s Regan Gymnasium Wednesday night.

Three Suffolk players reached double figures in scoring. Senior Meghan Tracey led the Rams with 14 points and seven rebounds on 7-14 shooting. Senior Kerry Bowman netted 12 points in the contest, to go along with five boards. Freshman Julianne Conrad scored ten points and added eight rebounds.

Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) led the Lions with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rachel Kaye (FY., Wakefield, Mass.) finished her night with 14 points and seven rebounds. Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) added eight points and 11 rebounds.

Emerson opened up the overtime period taking a four-point lead on three different occasions. Suffolk’s Laura Thompson banked in a three with 1:22 remaining to cut Emerson’s lead to 59-58. Meghan Black followed up Thompson’s three with a steal and assisted senior Emily Duquette on a lay-up and a foul to give the Rams a 60-59 lead. Duquette later missed the free-throw. She finished with six points and six rebounds.

Thompson made it a 61-59 game with 31 seconds remaining with a free-throw, but missed the back end of the one and one, giving the Lions a chance to tie it. Unfortunately for Suffolk, Kaye sent home a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to put Emerson up 62-61.

Conrad missed a potential game-winner with five seconds remaining and the Rams sent Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) to the line with just four seconds to go. Kosek missed the free-throw, but Duquette’s heave from half-court caromed off the backboard as time expired.

Suffolk trailed 51-41 with 3:46 remaining in the second half. Black and Tracey combined for eight points on the 10-0 run to cut the lead to 51-49. Bowman added two free-throws with 27 seconds remaining to force overtime.

Emerson led 28-22 at halftime.

The Lions next game is a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Match with Norwich University on Saturday at 3p.m.

Monks School Lions, 73-56

Game Boxscore

from St. Joseph's College Sports Information - 1/31/09

STANDISH, ME - Kayla Nowell came off the bench to lead five Lady Monks in double-digits with 14 points as Saint Joseph's (10-10, 3-4 GNAC) defeated Emerson College (13-7, 5-2) in GNAC women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon. Carolyn Freeman notched her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 caroms for St. Joe’s while Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) paced the Lions with 15 points in the losing effort.

After a back-and-forth beginning, Saint Joseph’s held the lead for majority of the contest over the Lions, who came into the game tied for third in the conference. The Lady Monks did not trail after Alysn Ludwig hit a shot from the charity stripe at the 10:58 mark.

After SJC center Ashley Geel hit a jumpshot to knot the game at eight apiece, the Lady Monks proceeded to go on a 14-4 run, spanning 10 minutes, to take a 22-12 lead with 3:29 before the break.

St. Joe’s went on to increase their first-half lead to 16 points, 33-17, after Amelia Lamb sank an open shot under the hoop with 56 seconds left in the opener. Andrade made one of two free throw bids to set the score at 33-18, Lady Monks, going into intermission.

The visiting Lions chipped away at the SJC lead and trailed by seven points, 43-36, after Lauren Vassallo (Ae., Oxford, Conn.) converted a layup 7:19 into the second stanza.

Emerson cut the deficit to six points six minutes later, but the resilient Lady Monks used three-pointers from Freeman and Nowell on their next two possessions to push the advantage to 12, 63-51, with 5:38 to play. Saint Joseph’s would maintain the double-digit lead for the duration of the contest.

St. Joe’s outshot Emerson 45.6% (26-57) to 33.9% (20-59) and also registered a 43-34 advantage in rebounds in the conference victory.

For St. Joe’s, Ludwig, Geel, and Casey Drake each scored 10 points. Ludwig added six boards and Drake went 6-6 from the line and had nine dimes, a career high as well as the most by an SJC player this season.

For Emerson, Rachel Kaye (FY, Wakefield, Mass.) scored 10 points, Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) added nine and Vassallo and Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) both netted eight points in the loss.

Emerson will play Suffolk University on Wednesday at 7p.m.

Emerson Corrals Mustangs

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. – Kathy Andrade ( So., Hull, Mass., left) scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead Emerson College (13-6, 5-1 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) to a 74-49 victory over Mount Ida College (5-15, 0-6 GNAC).

The Mustangs kept the game close for the first eight minutes trailing 17-14, but Emerson went on a 22-5 run over the next eight minutes to take a 38-19 lead. The Lions were able to stretch the halftime advantage to 44-21 on a buzzer-beating three point shot by Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.).

The second half featured more of the same as Emerson scored the first six points and eventually moved the lead to 31 points just over halfway through the second stanza.

In addition to Andrade, Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) had 14 points, Rachel Kaye (FY, Wakefield, Mass.) had 14, and Kosek dropped in 10 and added seven assists.

Nicole Casimiro (Jr., Lee, N.H.) led the Mustangs with 14 points while Cherie Parisi chipped in a dozen with nine boards.

Emerson travels to St. Joseph’s college in Standish, Maine on Saturday for a 1p.m. start.

Lions Drown Sharks, 79-54

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. – Emerson College (11-6, 4-1 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) rode the long range shooting of Bri Papa (Sr., Camilus, N.Y., left) to a 79-54 victory over Simmons College (10-6, 2-2 GNAC). Papa dropped in 19 points including five three-point shots.

Emerson scored the game’s first eight points, including five by Papa, to force a Simmons time out. Following the break, Julianna Eagles hit a three-point shot to pull the Sharks within five. A Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) jumper was answered by a Stephanie Fox shot to keep Simmons within five, but Emerson then went on a 17-4 run to take control of the game. The Lions built a 50-32 lead headed into the break.

The second half was more of the same with Emerson quickly extending the lead to 24 points. The Lions’ hit their largest advantage with 2:25 remaining on a traditional three-point play by Rachel Kaye (FY., Wakefield, Mass.).

In addition to Papa, Emerson had four other players in double figures. Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) had a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) nearly matched that with 11 points and 14 boards. Kaye had a dozen points and Andrade added 11. Emerson had a 54-36 rebound advantage, and held the Sharks to less than 33% shooting from the field.

For Simmons Lauren Kreckie was the high scorer with 13 points. Brit Langford hauled in 10 rebounds.

Emerson will host Mount Ida College on Thursday at 7p.m. in a GNAC match.

EMERSON RALLIES IN THE SECOND TO WIN AT LASELL

From Lasell College Sports Information - 1/20/09

Game Boxscore

NEWTON, MASS. -- Emerson College (11-6, 3-1 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) held just a three point advantage after the first half of play against Lasell College (5-11, 2-2 GNAC), but rallied in the second to take home an 83-68 win in women's basketball action on Tuesday evening. Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y., left) and Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) each tallied fourteen points in the second half for the Lions who boost their record to 11-6, and 3-1 in the GNAC.

The lead changed hands six times over the course of the first twenty minutes, with the Lasers holding the biggest edge, at 7:23, up by eight after going on a 9-1 run over a five minute stretch. After chipping away at the Lasers lead, the Lions tied the game just under two minutes at 31-31 with a three pointer by Rachel Kaye (FY., Wakefield, Mass.), then went ahead on a free throw by Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.). Lasell's Tricia Culver and Shauna Kelly were instrumental for Lasell, combining for 22 of the Lasers 31 first half points, as the teams broke for the half, at 34-31.

The Lasers made it difficult for the Lions, who shot 48.4% on the night, to take any kind of significant lead early in the second. Lasell looked to attack the basket from all points, dumping the ball down low for the post buckets, while shooting 50% from behind the arc.  At the ten minute mark, Lasell remained down by three, but the Lions pulled together to push ahead by 13 over the course of the next three minutes, then put the game out of reach of the Lasers throughout the enduring minutes.

Kosek and Zaniboni finished with nineteen points apiece as well as six grabs off the glass for Emerson.  Kelly was the leader on Lasell's side netting eighteen points and collecting 9 rebounds. Culver finished with 17 total points and 7 boards, and guard Katie Farr (Rindge, NH) also added 7 boards and 11 points for the Lasers.

Emerson's next game is Saturday, January 24 at 4p.m. against Simmons College in "Passionate Purple Fight Against Lupus" Day.

JWU Rally Tames Lions

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. -- Johnson & Wales (8-8 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) started the second half on a 27-10 run to erase an 11 point halftime deficit and hung on to defeat Emerson college (10-6, 2-1 GNAC) 70-64 at Emerson.

The Wildcats rode a balanced scoring attack with four players in double figures led by Johanna Santosusso (Sr., Salem, N.H.) who had 18 points including three three-point shots.

Emerson built a 41-30 first half lead by shooting .533 from the field, making 16 of 30 shots. The Lions also had a 27-23 rebounding advantage. Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass., above left) had a big first half with 15 points off the bench.

Johnson & Wales scored the first five points of the second half on a jump shot by Jennifer Moxley (Jr., Lakewood, Wash.), and a traditional three-point play by Maria Valletta (Sr., Greenville, R.I.). Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) hit a jumper to stretch the advantage to 43-35, but Valletta hit a layup and Alyse Ragaglia (Sr., West Newbury, Mass.) drilled a three-pointer. Kosek again hit for two, and was answered by a Valletta jump shot. Emerson stretched the lead to nine points on consecutive layups by Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) and Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.).

The Wildcats then went on a 15-0 run over the next 5:33 to take a 57-51 lead. Following an Andrade layup, JWU extended the lead to 60-53 on a Ragaglia jump shot with 7:05 left in the game. Emerson clawed back to a 64-64 tie on a Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) layup, but Santosousso answered with a trifecta with 1:28 left in regulation to give the Wildcats the win.

Alexia Ramirez finished with 13 points for the Wildcats and also has 13 rebounds. Ragaglia (12) and Valletta (11) were also in double figures.

Andrade was the high scorer for the Lions with 18 points. Zaniboni had a double-double of 13 points and 13 boards, while Okrah also finished with 13.

Johnson & Wales next hosts Mount Ida College in a Monday start at 5:30. Emerson travels to Lasell for a 7p.m. tip off on Tuesday.

Mount Holyoke Turns Away Emerson, 54-49

From Mount Holyoke college Sports Information - 1/15/09

Game Boxscore

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Using a balanced scoring attack, the Mount Holyoke College women’s basketball team held on for a 54-49 triumph over non-conference foe Emerson College this evening at the Mildred Howard Gymnasium. With their seventh straight win over the Emerson, the Lyons snapped a five game slide.

Seven players scored points for Mount Holyoke, which shot 32.8% (19-58) from the floor and 73.7% (14-19) from the free throw line. The Lyons pulled down 15 offensive rebounds en route to a 46-30 edge on the glass. Senior guard Katie Austenled the way with 11 points and a career best 12 boards. It was her second consecutive double-double. Mount Holyoke also received a boost from first year guard Christine Chancy, who netted a team high 12 points. First year forward Tricia Chase chipped in with a season best nine points to go with eight rebounds.

Emerson was paced by sophomore center Lauren Zaniboni (San Diego, Calif.), who exploded for a game high 24 points off the bench. The center went 8-of-11 from the floor, collected eight rebounds and registered three blocked shots. Senior forward Lauren Vassallo (Oxford, Conn.) added seven points and 11 boards for the guests, who converted 39.1% (18-46) of their attempts from the field.

After a slow start by both teams, Mount Holyoke erupted for a 14-1 run to gain control of the contest. Chancy netted nine points to key the rally, which spanned nearly six minutes. Her jumper at the 4:23 mark of the opening frame put the Lyons in front 24-9. Their 15 point cushion was their largest of the night.

Emerson closed the out the first half with a 7-2 spurt to slice the deficit to 26-16 at the break. Chancy led all scorers with 11 points at the intermission. Zaniboni had ten for the visitors.

Emerson picked off where it left off in the early stages of the second stanza, recording ten of the first 12 points. Sophomore forward Kathy Andrade (Hull, Mass.) converted layups on three consecutive possessions to trim Mount Holyoke’s lead to 28-26 with 16:27 remaining in regulation.

The Lyons responded with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to give themselves some breathing room. Chase converted a conventional three point play to highlight the rally. Their 41-31 edge at the 8:23 mark was their largest of the second half.

Emerson tallied six straight points in the waning minutes to make things interesting. A pair of free throws by Zaniboni cut the deficit to 49-47 at the 1:36 mark, but Mount Holyoke knocked down five of its eight freebies down the stretch to ice things.

Emerson (10-5, 2-0 GNAC) will be back in action again on Saturday, hosting Great Northeast Athletic Conference opponent Johnson and Wales University at 1p.m.

Lions top Raiders, 82-75 For Second GNAC Win

From Rivier College Sports Information - January 13, 2009

Game Boxscore

NASHUA, N.H. – In a battle between the Great Northeast Athletic Conference’s leading offense, Rivier College (8-5, 1-1 GNAC), and the GNAC’s leading defense, Emerson College (10-4, 2-0 GNAC), it was Emerson that prevailed to stay undefeated in conference play as the Lions defeated Rivier 82-75.

The game remained very close for most of the contest as neither team enjoyed more than an eight point advantage at any time. The game saw seven ties and 15 lead changes. The leading scorers from each team, Emerson’s Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif., above left) and Rivier’s Jess Mellen each scored 21 points. Emerson has an advantage in rebounds, pulling down eight more than the Raiders, but Rivier had four more steals and three fewer turnovers than the Lions. Emerson shot 25 for 35 from the line while Rivier only hit nine of 16. Emerson’s style of posting up and drawing contact in the paint allowed the to more than double Rivier’s free throws taken during the game; Zaniboni alone took 11 free throws, hitting nine.

Zaniboni also finished with game high 14 rebounds while teammate Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) finished the game with 19 points and eight boards of her own. Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) added 14 points while Bri Papa (Sr., Camillus, N.Y.) chipped in with 11 in the victory.

Mellen pulled eight rebounds off the boards while freshman Allie Parent and Danielle Stoodley added 14 and 13 points respectively and junior Monica White added 12 points.

Emerson travels to Mount Holyoke College for a 7p.m. start on Thursday in a non-conference match-up.

Lions Beat Gators

Game Boxscore

Kathy Andrade CHESTNUT HILL , MASS. - Despite a game-high 21 points from senior Amanda Dennis, the Gators fell, 67-45, to Emerson, with 13 second-half turnovers determining the Gators fate.

An Angeline Capre three-pointer brought the Gators to within two at 12-10. An Emerson 11-2 run capped by a Lauren Vassallo ( Sr., Oxford , Conn. ) layup extended the Lions lead to 23-12 at the 8:00 mark. A pair of Dennis free throws cut the Gators deficit to seven, 25-18, before the Lions scored six of the final nine points to go into halftime up ten, 31-21.

A Dennis jumper brought the Gators to within eight to start the second, but it Emerson answered with a 12-0 run to put the Gators away. Thirteen Pine Manor turnovers led to the Gators unraveling in the second half, and Okrah scored 11 of her 14 in the second.

Kathy Andrade (So., Hull , Mass.,) led the Lions with 15 points, and Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) followed with 14. Emerson’s inside tandem of Vassallo and center Lauran Zaniboni ( So., San Diego , Calif.) combined for just 12 points and eight rebounds.

For the Gators, Stacie Beauford added nine points and a pair of steals, and Angeline Capre chipped in with a team-best eight boards. Dennis, meanwhile, added seven rebounds and a pair of blocks.

Emerson travels to Rivier on Tuesday for a 5:30p.m. start.

Fitchburg State Edges Emerson, 59-48

From Fitchburg State College Sports Information - 1/8/09

Game Boxscore

FITCHBURG, MASS. - Senior Stephanie Payette collected a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds to push Fitchburg State past Emerson College, 59-48 in non-conference action this evening.

Payette led the Fitchburg State attack with a solid performance from the floor, hitting 9-of-17 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Junior Kari Averill turned in a solid night for the Falcons with 11 points and three boards, while junior Michelle Ridge shot 5-of-11 from the field for 11 points and four rebounds.

Freshman Rachel Kaye (Wakefield, Mass.) led the Emerson offense with a team-high ten points, while senior Lauren Vassallo (Oxford, Conn.) pulled in a team-high 13 rebounds to go with eight points. Senior Maude Okrah (Rutland, Mass.) chipped in with eight points and ten boards for the Lions.

Fitchburg State grabbed a slim 24-22 lead in the first half as there were four lead changes in the half. Payette paced the Falcons with seven first half points, while Vassallo collected eight for the Lions.

In the second half, Fitchburg State came out firing, rallying off a 14-6 run to open the period. Emerson cut the Fitchburg State lead to 40-36 midway through the half, but the Falcons held off the Lion comeback with 19 points over the final ten minutes of play. Payette had the hot hand for the Falcons, tallying 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Okrah posted eight points and five boards for the Lions.

Emerson (8-4, 0-0 GNAC) will travel to Pine Manor College on Saturday at 12 p.m.

Lions Top 'Cats, 71-30

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. -- Emerson College (8-3) held Wheelock College (0-8) to 17% shooting while building a 30 point first half lead and cruised to a 71-30 victory in the first game of the second semester for both teams.

Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn., left) led four Lions in double figures with 18 points and added seven rebounds. Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) had a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards. Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) with 11, and Lauren Zaniboni's (So., San Diego, Calif) 10 points and eight rebounds helped lead the way for Emerson.

The Lions shot 53% while building a 43-13 halftime advantage. Emerson continued to play strong defense in the second stanza holding Wheelock to 11 - 56 (.196) shooting for the game.

Jessica Battista had nine points off the bench to lead Wheelock.

Emerson will next travel to Fitchburg State College for a 7p.m. tip off Thursday evening.

Lions Beat Lesley

BOSTON- Saturday at the Piano Row Gymnasium, Emerson College (7-3) beat Lesley University (1-5) 73-55 in women’s basketball.

Emerson took the lead early in the first half. Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) hit a three-point shot in the first two minutes. Lesley took a two point lead on a three-pointer by Cassidy Freed, as the game was a see-saw affair for the first nine minutes. A layup by Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif., left) gave Emerson a 14-13 lead with 10:47 left for a lead the Lions would not relinquish. The Lions ended the first half up by 10 points.

At the start of the second half Lesley was able to close the gap to within eight points on a layup by Hailee Lowe. It marked the closest the Lynx would come for the remainder of the contest.

Emerson had the better of play shooting 50 percent on field goals. Lowe, Lesley’s lead scorer, finished with 20 points. Zaniboni led four Lions in double figures with 13 points and added 12 rebounds for Emerson.

Emerson will now enter the semester break. The Lions next game is Monday, January 5 at home against Wheelock College at 7p.m.

Gulls Fly over Lions 77-52

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. -- Endicott College (3-3) got double figure scoring from three different players and shot 49% from the field to defeat Emerson College (6-3) 77-52 in a non-conference women's basketball game.

Ashley Vitale led the Gulls with 22 points while teammates Nicole Duschane and Nicole Young chipped in with 15 and 22 points respectively.

A Rachel Hews layup broke a 6-6 tie at the 15 minute mark and gave Endicott a lead it would not relinquish. A three-point shot by Duschane with 12:13 remaining in the first half gave Endicott a seven point lead. Two free throws by Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) and a layup by Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) brought Emerson to within three, but that was as close as the Lions would get for the remainder of the game.

A jump shot by Vitale gave the gulls a 14 point margin with 4:50 left in the half and the Gulls entered halftime with a 37-25 cushion, the key stat being a 17-5 edge for Endicott in points off turnovers.

Endicott sealed the victory by scoring the first 11 points of the second half. Vitale's six points and Kaylin Burke with five points did all the damage on the run. Emerson was never able to get closer than 18 points for the remainder of the contest.

Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) led Emerson with 20 points, with Zaniboni chipping in 12 points and nine boards. Andrade and Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) each had 10 in the losing cause.

Emerson is idle until Saturday, December 13 when the Lions have a 3p.m. contest with Lesley University.

Lions Douse Beacons in Women’s Basketball

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. – Emerson College (6-2) placed three players in double figures lead by Maude Okrah’s (Sr., Rutland, Mass., left) 24 points to defeat UMass Boston (1-4) 74-47 in a non-conference basketball game in Emerson’s Piano Row Gymnasium.

Okrah, coming off a Tournament MVP performance in the Gallaudet University Invitational Tournament continued her strong play as she pulled down eight rebounds and had four steals in the game.

Emerson never trailed in the contest although the Beacons kept the game close for the first seven minutes. A three-point shot by Norma Cumbee (So., Malden, Mass.) brought the Beacons to with 13-10. Emerson then went on a 7-0 run to increase the lead to 10 points keyed by five points and two assists by Rachel Kaye ( FY, Wakefield, Mass.).

A three-point shot by Stephanie Vasquez pulled the Beacons to within 22-15 with 9:15 remaining in the first half, but Emerson countered with an 8-0 run including four Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) points. Emerson went on a 10-3 string to end the half.

UMass Boston shrunk the lead to 17 points with 7:33 remaining in the game on a Leanne Meninger jumper, but the Beacons could pull no closer.

In addition to Okrah, Kaye had 18 points for the Lions and added six assists in her first career start. Lauren Vassallo (Sr., Oxford, Conn.) added 11 points an seven boards. Emerson’s leading scorer, Lauren Zaniboni(So., San Diego, Calif.) had only four points but added 10 rebounds.

Cumbee was the only Beacon in double figures with 11 points, and the Lions held the Beacons to .295 shooting from the field for the game.

Emerson will next play Tuesday, December 9 when the Lions host Endicott in a non-conference contest at 7p.m.

Emerson Defeats Hosts to win Gallaudet Tournament

Game Boxscore

Washington, DC -- Led by tournament Most Valuable Player Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass., accepting her award left) the Emerson College women's basketball team defeated Gallaudet University 73-55 to take the championship game of the Gallaudet University Invitational Tournament. Okrah led Emerson in scoring in the championship game by pouring in 16 points while also grabbing two rebounds with an assist and a steal.

Teammates Bri Papa (Sr., Camilus, N.Y.) and Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) were All-Tournament team selections. Papa hit three three-point shots in the championship game and totaled 11 points, five rebounds and four steals. Zaniboni was named to an All-tournament team for the third time this season. She scored 13 points and grabbed nine boards in the title game.

Lions Defeat Penn State Berks to Advance to Gallaudet tourney final

Game Boxscore

Zaniboni Lifts Lions to Second Straight Win

From Wentworth Institute of Technology Sports Information -- November 25, 2008

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore forward Lauren Zaniboni (San Diego, Calif.) scored 13 of her game-high 25 points in the second half and Emerson’s defense held Wentworth without a field goal over the final 4:02 of the second half as the Lions defeated the Leopards, 58-53, in a non-league contest played at Tansey Gymnasium.

The first half was a see-saw affair that featured six ties and five lead changes. Wentworth’s largest lead was three, which the Leopards held on three different occasions, while Emerson led by as much as four with just under a minute to play in the half. The Leopards scored the final four points of the first stanza – all coming from junior forward Jessie Coffey (Wakefield, R.I.) to tie the game at 22-all. Neither team shot well over the first 20:00, as the Lions were just 8-for-30 (26.7 percent) from the floor, while the Leopards were 9-for-34 (26.5 percent).

Scoring eight of her team’s first 12 points to open the second half, Zaniboni helped Emerson take a 34-26 lead with 15:55 remaining. However, Wentworth went on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes, with four points coming from sophomore forward Sam Vinciguerra (Somersworth, N.H.) and tied the game at 34-all with 12:57 left on a basket by senior guard Margo Ward (Mystic, Conn.).

With the score tied at 40-40, the Lions would score the next five points – four of which came from junior forward Laura Chenier (Holyoke, Mass.) – and led, 45-40, with 8:05 left. A three pointer from junior guard Meaghan Gardner (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and a layup from sophomore forward Kirsten Vallone (Avon, N.Y.) tied the game for the 11th time, 45-all, with 5:45 left to play. Gardner hit a basket with 4:47 left to give Wentworth a 47-45 lead. However, the lead was short-lived as a basket by freshman guard

(Wakefield, Mass.) tied the game back up. Coffey hit a three pointer to put the Leopards up 50-47, but Kaye answered with a three of her own to tie the game for the 13th and final time, 50-50.

After neither team could convert on their next two possessions, Zaniboni gave Emerson the lead for good with a basket with 2:27 remaining. A Wentworth turnover ensued and allowed sophomore forward Kathy Andrade (Hull, Mass.) to push the lead to four with 1:10 left. Vallone hit one of two free throws to cut the lead to three, but the Lions hit four of five free throws in the final 23 seconds to pull out the win.

Emerson shot 46.9 percent from the floor in the second half, while holding Wentworth to 31.6 percent. For the game the Lions shot 37.1 percent, while the Leopards were held to 29.2 percent from the floor. The Leopards held a 50-44 advantage on the glass.

Zaniboni’s 25 points came on 10-for-19 shooting and she added two blocks and two steals. Kaye chipped in with 11 points, while Andrade had nine assists and three steals. Coffey led the Leopards with 14 points, while Vinciguerra had 10 points and five rebounds. Vallone chipped in with nine points and 13 rebounds.

Emerson won its second straight game to improve to 3-2 on the season. The Lions are back in action Saturday night as they face Penn State-Berks at the Gallaudet Tournament.

Lions earn third place honors at SSC Tip Off Tournament

From Salem State College Sports Information - 11/22/08

Game Boxscore

SALEM, MASS. -- The Emerson College Lions (2-2) roared from behind to capture third place honors with a 70-60 victory over the Anchorwomen of Rhode Island College (1-3) in the consolation game of the Salem State College Tip Off Tournament at James Twohig Gymnasium.

Sophomore center Lauren Zaniboni (San Diego, Calif.) posted a double-double in points and rebounds to lead the Emerson comeback. Zaniboni was chosen to the all-tournament team for her stellar effort.

Lady Vikings defeat Emerson College, 75-74, in first round of SSC Tip Off Tournament

From Salem State College Sports Information -- 11/21/08

Game Boxscore

SALEM, MASS -- The Lady Vikings received a tie-breaking free throw from junior center Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough) with 1.8 seconds to play to defeat the Lions of Emerson College, 75-74, in a first round game of the Salem State College Tip Off Tournament at James Twohig Gymnasium.

The victory advances the Lady Vikings (1-1) to Saturday's championship game at 5:00 pm against the Bobcats of Bates College (1-0), a 58-39 first round winner over Rhode Island College. Emerson and RIC will meet on Saturday at 1:00 pm in the third place game.

SSC received balanced scoring from its roster with four players achieving double-digit scoring totals. Jenkins and junior forward Manise Louinord (Lynn) led the Lady Vikings with 17 points each while senior center Lauren Wholley added 13 and freshman guard Amy Barry (Manchester, NH) contributed 10. Louinord topped all rebounders with 15.

Emerson (1-2), who led at the half 38-37, was led by senior forward Lauren Vassallo's (Oxford, Conn.) game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. Senior guard Bri Papa (Camillus, NY) drained six three pointers for 18 points and sophomore center Lauren Zaniboni (San Diego, Calif.) added 16 points and a team-high 11 boards.

OWLS TOP LIONS FOR TIP-OFF TITLE

Game Box Score

BOSTON, MASS. -- Keene State College got 13 points and 7 rebounds from Tournament MVP Kristin Degou (Jr., Newburyport, Mass.) as the Owls defeated Emerson College 51-43 in the Championship Game of the Emerson College Tip-Off Tournament.

Keene sprinted to a 13-6 lead with just under five minutes played in the game. Emerson countered with a 7-0 run to pull the Lions even on a three-point shot by Bri Papa (Sr., Camilus, N.Y.). Eight straight points by all-tournament selection Alyssa Sapp (Jr., Hartford, Vt.) gave the Owls a 21-13 lead with 5:44 remaining in the first half. Emerson cut the lead to 21-18 on a bucket by Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) and free throws by Andrade and Andrea Kosek (Jr., Latham, N.Y.). Keene State answered by holding Emerson scoreless for the final 3:40 of the half to take a 29-18 lead at the break.

Neither team scored in the first 4:45 of the second half until Kosek hit a jumper to cut the lead to nine. The teams traded baskets until a seven point Emerson run brought the lions to within a point at 40-39. Two layups by Michele Boudreau (Sr., Readsboro, Vt.) and a Sapp free throw gave the Owls a six point-cushion, and although a layup by Emerson's Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) brought the Lions to within 45-41, that was as close as Emerson would come.

Andrade shared game scoring honors with Sapp and was the game's leading rebounder with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Zaniboni had nine points and nine boards.

In the consolation game, Elmira College defeated Curry College 68-51.

Emerson next plays in the Salem State College Tournament next Friday and Saturday.

The All-Tournament Team:
Erin Ruppell, Elmira College
Kathy Andrade, Emerson College
Lauren Zaniboni, Emerson College
Nicole Simmler, Keene State College
Alyssa Sapp, Keene State College

Tournament Most Valuable Player:
Kristin Degou, Keene State College

Lions Mark Territory

Game Box Score

BOSTON - Maude Okrah (Sr., Rutland, Mass.) capped off a 61-51 victory for Emerson College over Curry College, in the first ever in-season tournament at the Piano Row Gymnasium, with a free throw with 31 seconds left to play.

The Lions struggled in the first half, wrestling control of the court from the Colonels, and allowed the lead to change against them twice.

Kathy Andrade (So., Hull, Mass.) started scoring for the Lions with a good free throw, inside the first three minutes of play. But, Sarah Walker (Sr., Colchester, Vt.) responded with a two point lay-up. The lead would change four times, within the next five minutes.

Andrade snatched up momentum with a lay-up from assisting Andrea Kosek, (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) putting the Lions ahead by one point. The Colonel’s Christina Sancinito (Sr., Wakefield, Mass.) returned the ball to her team and tied the game with a free throw, with 15:24 left in the half. She followed that up with another point and took the lead for her team. Thirty seven seconds later Okrah hit a two point lay-up. The Lions were up by one point.

Lauren Zaniboni (So., San Diego, Calif.) put two points on the board on free throws, and hit a lay-up 17 seconds later. The Lions had control with a score of 9-4.

The Colonels stepped up with another point from a free throw by Liz Forte (Jr., Rutland, Vt.). But, the next foul on Curry brought the ball to Zaniboni, who added two more points to the Emerson lead.

When Andrade fouled, ten seconds later, Forte grabbed two more points for her team.

Andrade and Zaniboni scored back-to-back lay-ups for the Lions. Danyel Cousins (So., Brunswick, Maine) answer to this was a single point on a free throw. Andrade, having none of it, hit a jump shot. The score was 17-8.

Rachel Kaye (Fr., Wakefield, Mass.) put two free throw points on the board, before fouling. Walker took two more points for the Colonels.

Kate Farino (Fr., Medford, Mass.) put up a good lay-up that brought the score to 21-10. The Colonels would not leave the first half gently adding five more points to the board.

The Lions dominated the second half of play, allowing no lead changes. But, Curry College played a strong game putting 41 points on the board.

The Lions lead fell to four points with 3:37 left on the clock. But, they quickly pulled it back up to a twelve point lead. Refusing to yield outright the Colonels cut the lions lead down by two points before the buzzer.

Lion’s Head Coach Bill Gould said, “It was ugly but we won, and we’ll take it.”

Emerson will face Keene State College tomorrow at 2:00p.m. Curry will face Elmira at noon.

Johnson & Wales Women’s Basketball Downs Emerson, 66-64 In GNAC Quarterfinals

Game Boxscore

From Johnson & Wales University Sports Information 2/26/08

Providence, R.I. – Junior Johanna Santosuosso scored a team high 17 points and added six rebounds and five assists to lead the Johnson & Wales University women’s basketball team to a 66-64 victory against Emerson in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference quarterfinal contest at the Harborside Recreation Center on Tuesday evening. With the win the Wildcats advance to the GNAC semifinals on Friday, February 29th. The game will be played at Emmanuel, the No. 1 seed in the tournament.

Johnson & Wales had five players in double figures in the victory. Sophomore Alexia Ramirez scored 15 points for the Wildcats. Freshman Morgan Wilson and junior Alyse Ragaglia each had 10 points in the victory.

Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass.) led the way for Emerson with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) also had a double-double with 18 points and 15 boards in the setback for the Lions. Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) was also in double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Emerson jumped out an early 14-4 lead after a jumper by Okrah with 13:44 left in the first half. The visiting Lions held Johnson & Wales to 1-15 from the floor in the first six minutes of the game. Johnson & Wales responded, however with a 14-4 run of their own and tied the game at 18-18 on a three pointer by Ramirez with 7:04 remaining in the half. The two teams then traded baskets through the remainder of the half as JWU took the 26-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. JWU forced 13 Emerson turnovers in the half and had the lead at halftime despite shooting just 27.5% (11-for-40) from the field, including 3-of-17 from behind the three point stripe.

It was a back and forth battle throughout the early stages of the second half with the score tied 49-49 with 6:42 left in the contest. Johnson & Wales took a 60-57 lead on a free throw by Santosuosso with 2:31 remaining. The visiting Lions regained the lead when a layup by Okrah made the score 63-62 with twenty eight seconds left. After an Emerson foul, Moxley hit a pair of free throws to give the Wildcats the 64-63 lead. Ramirez then hit a pair of free throws to extend the JWU lead to 66-63 with nine seconds on the clock. Emerson’s Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) was sent to the free throw line with four seconds left in the game. She hit one of two free throws to pull the Lions to 66-64. After a missed free throw by Santosuosso, a three-pointer by Kosek hit off the backboard as the Wildcats held on for the 66-64 win.

With the win Johnson & Wales is now 13-12 on the season while Emerson falls to 15-11. The Wildcats will take travel to Emmanuel and take on the Saints in the semi-finals of the GNAC Championship Tournament on February 29th.

Lions Devour Falcons 81-60

Game Boxscore

Boston, Mass. (2/23/08) - Emerson College (15-10, 10-3 Great Northeast Athletic conference) overcame a slow start and went on to defeat Albertus Magnus College (10-15, 3-10 GNAC) 81-60 in the final regular season game for both teams.

Emerson, starting all four of its seniors on Senior Day, was sluggish early falling behind 11-8, four and a half minutes into the game. The Lions then went on a 39-12 run over the next eleven minutes and went into halftime with a 44-24 advantage.

The second half proved more of the same as Emerson extended the lead to 66-37 before coasting home with the victory.

Twelve of Emerson's 13 players scored in the game with Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I.) leading the way with 14 points. Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) had 13, and Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) and Kathy Andrade ( FY, Hull, Mass.) each added a dozen. Andrade had a double-double with 10 rebounds. Nikki McClease had 11 points for Albertus, and Dena Mentel added 11.

The game marked the final home regular season contest for seniors DeStefano, Mallroy Frers (Sharon, Mass.), Becky Everett (Orange, Mass.) and Kelly Kwiecinski (Easthampton, Mass.).

Emerson advances to the first round of the GNAC Playoffs where the Lions will travel to Providence, R.I. to take on Johnson & Wales University. The game is set for Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00pm. Albertus Magnus has finished its season.

SAINTS SURVIVE LIONS’ SECOND HALF SURGE

from Emmanuel College Sports Information 2/12/08

Game Boxscore
 
Boston, MA – Sophomore guard Iman Davis hit a lay-up with 1.8 seconds to play to boost Emmanuel to a 65-63 win over visiting Emerson College in Tuesday night’s Great Northeast Athletic Conference women’s basketball action. The Saints picked up their 10th conference win and improved to 17-6 on the season with tonight’s win over the Lions who fell to 13-10 and 8-3 in conference play.
 
Emerson took the first lead of the game on a free throw by guard Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.). Emmanuel took an advantage on the next bucket and went on an 11-1 run in the opening four minutes of play. The Saints led for the remainder of the first half and took an eight point lead into the break, 30-22. The Saints swelled their lead to sixteen points with 14:42 to play, when freshman guard Kristin LeBel was fouled on a three-pointer and completed the four-point play.

With 10:23 to go, Emmanuel led 51-39. The Lions were able to hold the Saints scoreless for the next four minutes. Emerson went on a 12-0 run and tied the game at 51-51 with 6:42 remaining. LeBel hit the front end of a one-and-one situation for the Saints. The Lions were then able to score on their ensuing possession, taking the lead, 53-52. This would prove to be the visitors’ final advantage of the evening, but Emerson was in it until the final buzzer sounded.

Emerson sent Emmanuel to the line 30 times, but the Saints’ missed several key free throws down the stretch. Emmanuel led by four (63-59) with 1:22 to play. Emerson closed the gap to two points on a bucket in the paint by Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass.) at 1:11. The Saints turned the ball over and then committed a foul away from the hoop, sending Kosek to the line with 36 seconds to go. Kosek hit both free throws, tying the game at 63 all. The Lions then forced another Emmanuel turnover and called an immediate timeout with 15 ticks on the clock.

Emerson had possession of the basketball with a chance to win the game, when Emmanuel’s senior captain Jacque Pannell stole the ball in the backcourt and called timeout with 8 seconds to play. Senior guard Jade Paez inbounded the ball to Davis, who sliced through the Lion defense and laid the ball in on the right side with 1.8 seconds remaining. Emerson called their final timeout and ran a desperation play, but Davis picked off the long pass as time expired and the Saints came away with the win.

The Saints out-rebounded the Lions, 48-41, and forced 31 Emerson turnovers. Emmanuel had a balanced offensive attack with just one player scoring in double figures. Davis led the way with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals. Paez and LeBel netted 9 points apiece, while senior guard Leah Lipschitz came off the bench to chip in with 8 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Emerson was led by Bri Papa (Jr., Camillus, N.Y.), who notched a game-high 18 points, including six three-pointers. Andrade recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards, while Kosek added 10 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals in the effort.

Emerson travels to Hartford, Conn. on Saturday to take on St. Joseph College in a 1:00pm GNAC game.

Emerson Rally Gives Lions a Shot at GNAC Top Spot

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. (2/9/08) – Emerson College (13-9, 8-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) scored the first 20 points of the second half to blow open a tight game and defeat Pine Manor College (6-14, 2-8 GNAC) 62-38. The victory by Emerson, coupled with Suffolk University’s win over Emmanuel College means the winner of Tuesday evening’s Emerson–Emmanuel game will be in first place in the Conference.

A sloppy first half in which neither team scored until Pine Manor’s Amanda Dennis hit a free throw 3:40 into the game, saw Emerson go out to a 12-3 lead with 7:06 remaining. Pine Manor scored the game’s next 10 points, taking the lead on two Laura Cecil free throws at the 4:01 mark. Emerson retook the lead on a layup by Bri Papa, (Jr., Camilus, N.Y.) and took a 21-16 advantage on a Cristal Montanez (FY., Bronx, N.Y.) jumper. Three free throws for the Gators followed by a jump shot by Enjolee Phillips made the halftime score 21-20.

Emerson blanked Pine Manor for the first 7:45 of the second half to put the game away. Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) had six points during the run. Okrah’s 11 points led the Lions who had all 13 players on the roster score. Papa was also in double figures with 10 points.

Phillips led the Gators with 20 points while Dennis added 11.

Emerson travels to Emmanuel Tuesday night for the first-place showdown with the game scheduled for a 7:30 tip.

Lions Take Sixth Straight win, Drop Rams 62-55

Game Boxscore
BOSTON, MASS. – Emerson College (12-9, 7-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) won its sixth straight game and moved into a tie for second place in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference standings as the Lions defeated Suffolk University (13-6, 7-2 GNAC) 62-55.
  
The Lions broke out to a 6-4 lead to start the game on two jumpers by Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) sandwiched around a layup by Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass.). Suffolk’s Stephanie Zito canned a three-point shot to give the Rams a 7-6 lead, but Emerson’s Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I.) answered with a three of her own to put the Lions back on top. The teams traded baskets until the Rams’ Kaitlin Klecha tied the score for the fourth time in the contest at 15.

A 10-2 run gave Emerson a 125-17 lead with 2:46 remaining in the first half, but Suffolk answered with six straight points to pull within 25-23. A Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) layup snapped the Suffolk string and gave Emerson a 27-23 halftime lead.

Emerson ran the lead to 14 with 7:11 remaining in the game on a layup by Andrade, but Suffolk crept back to trail only 58-54 with 1:27 left in the game on a trifecta from Katie Castignetti. Two Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) free throws moved the lead to 60-54. Klecha hit one of two free throws with 43 seconds left, but the Lions go two free throws from Vassallo to finish the scoring.

Vassallo had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead all scorers. DeStefano dropped in a dozen and Kosek had 11 for Emerson.

Castignetti had 16 for Suffolk, while Meghan Tracey had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Emerson hosts Pine Manor College on Saturday at noon.

Emerson Tops St. Joseph's for Fifth Consecutive Win, 72-55

Game Boxscore
Boston, Mass. (2/2/08) - Emerson’s Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) took the opening tip in for a layup with only four seconds gone in the game and the Lions never relinquished the lead in defeating St. Joseph's College 72-55. The victory moves Emerson into a third place tie with St. Joe’s in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference standings.

Emerson’s first half lead stretched to 10 points following a three-point shot by Okrah. A Carolyn Freeman jumper brought the Monks to within 29-26, but a Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass., above left) layup followed by a Tamara Kearny (FY, Everett, Mass.) three-pointer gave Emerson a 34-26 lead with 2:29 remaining. A Freeman free throw was the only other scoring before the end of the half.
 
St. Joe’s was able to pull to within 38-35 on a layup by Meghan Daigle with 16:23 remaining in the game. Andrade answered with two free throws, and an Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) trifecta bumped the lead back to eight. Megan Farrell drilled two free throws at the 10:42 mark to pull the Monks to within six points, but Emerson went on an 11-0 run to put the game away.

Andrade led all scorers with 25 points and had 13 rebounds. Okrah had 13 and Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) 10 for Emerson (11-9, 6-2 GNAC).

Daigle and Allison Miner each had 10 points for the Monks (13-6, 6-2 GNAC).

Emerson’s next game is at home against Suffolk University on Wednesday, February 6 at 7:00pm.

Emerson Wins Fourth Straight Beating Mount Ida, 83-61

Game Boxscore

A jump shot by Bri Papa (So., Camilus, N.Y.) five and a half minutes into the game gave Emerson College a 12-11 lead over Mount Ida College and the Lions (10-9, 5-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) went on to defeat the Mustangs (5-14, 2-5 GNAC) 83-61.

The Lions never saw their lead dip lower than 10 points in the second half. Emerson was led in scoring by Kathy Andrade ( FY., Hull, Mass.) with 22 points and she pulled down seven rebounds. Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) dropped in 18 points and added four assists and four steals, and Papa had 19 points.

The victory for the Lions was their fourth straight and places the team in a fourth place tie in the GNAC. Emerson hosts St. Joseph’s College on Saturday, February 2 at 2:00pm in a key GNAC match-up. St. Joseph is currently tied for second place in the Conference, one game ahead of the Lions.

Lions Spoil Simmons 25th Anniversary, 57-49

from Simmons College Sports Information - 1/26/08

Game Boxscore

The Simmons College basketball team had plenty of support in the stands on Saturday as the Sharks celebrated it’s 25th anniversary as a varsity program and plenty of alumni were back to commemorate the event. But the visiting Lions of Emerson spoiled the party, with strong defense and timely shooting to take a 57-49 win.

The Sharks jumped out early playing on adrenaline and took an early 10-2 lead, but Emerson clawed back as the half wore on and trailed by just one at the break 24-23.

In the second half. Emerson’s Bri Papa (So., Camilus, N.Y.) came off the bench to bury a pair of crucial three’s and give the Lions a six point cushion.

Defensively the Lions clamped down allowing Simmons to shoot just 25 percent for the second half.

Emerson's Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass.) led all scorers with 17 points, and she grabbed 10 rebounds. Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds.

For Simmons Lauren Kreckie had a big day with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while sophomore Stephanie Fox had 12 points and 18 rebounds.

Emerson's next game is Thursday at Mount Ida College in a 6:00pm tip off.

Lions Run Away From Eagles, 76-44

Game Boxscore

NASHUA, N.H. (1/23/08) - Emerson College (8-9, 3-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) went on a 29-3 run spanning halftime and went on to cruise past Daniel Webster College (9-6, 2-3 GNAC) 76-44 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action.

Emerson scored the game's first eight points, but the Eagles climbed back to within two points at 13-11. Two layups by Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) took the Lions' lead back to six , but Daniel Webster's Erin Moseley scored six points and Nicole Conley hit a three to give the Eagles their only lead of the night at 20-19.

A traditional three point play by Vassallo started the Lions' run which encompassed the final six minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second.

Emerson's Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass., left) led the Lions with 16 points and had eight rebounds. Lindsay Destefano (Sr., Gloucester, R.I.) scored 15 for Emerson and hit four of eight three-point shots. Vassallo with a dozen points and nine rebounds and Bri Papa (So., Camilus, N.Y.) with 10 points rounded out Emerson's double figure scorers.

Moseley lead all players with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Emerson's next game is Saturday at Simmons College, at 1:00pm.

Emerson Takes Holiday Win over Lasell, 65-42

Game Boxscore

Boston, Mass. (1/21/08) - Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Gloucester, R.I., left) led a balanced attack and all but one Emerson College player scored in the game as Emerson (7-9. 2-2 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) defeated Lasell College (4-11, 2-2 GNAC) 65-42 in a Martin Luther King, Jr., Day matinee.

DeStefano dropped in 12 points and snagged four rebounds in the victory. Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) chipped in with 11 points, five assists and four steals, while Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) tallied 10 points. Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) scored 9 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Bri Papa (So., Camilus, N.Y.) had eight points.

Emerson shot 44% from the field in building a 31-16 first half lead while holding the Lasers to 29% shooting. The Lions had only 11 turnovers in the game, while forcing Lasell into 22. Emerson also held a 40-38 rebounding edge.

Shauna Kelly led the Lasers with 15 points. Lavina Currie snared a game-high 10 rebounds.

Emerson next makes the trip to Nashua, N.H., Wednesday evening January 23 for a game at at 7:00pm.

Johnson & Wales Women’s Basketball Upends Emerson, 75-52

From Johnson & Wales University Sports Information - 1/19/08

Game Boxscore

Providence, R.I. – Johanna Santosuosso scored a career high 28 points and added five assists and four steals to lead the Johnson & Wales University women’s basketball team to a 75-52 victory against Emerson in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at the Harborside Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon. The win was the third straight for the Wildcats

Junior Maria Valetta notched 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds while senior Nicole Laferriere added 10 points and seven boards in the victory for JWU.

Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) narrowly missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds while Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists in the setback for the Lions.

Emerson jumped out to an early lead and held an 11-4 advantage after a three pointer by Kosek with 16:15 remaining in the first half. Johnson & Wales responded with a 9-2 run and knotted the game at 13:13 midway through the first half. The two teams then traded leads before the Wildcats closed the half on a 17-6 run to take the 40-26 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The visiting Lions would get as close as 13 points midway through the second half when a layup by Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Gloucester, R.I.) made the score 55-42 with 9:27 left in the game. That would be as close as the Lions would get, however as the Wildcats led by as many as 25 late in the game before taking the 75-52 victory. JWU forced 26 turnovers and held Emerson to just 28.8% shooting from the field for the contest.

With the win JWU improves to 5-9 on the season and 3-0 in the GNAC while Emerson falls to 6-9 overall, 1-2 in league play. The Wildcats will return to action on Monday, January 21st when they travel to Mount Ida for a GNAC contest, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Lyons Down Lions in OT, 71-68

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. (1/17/08) – Jess Olson ‘s three-point shot with 31 seconds remaining in regulation forced overtime as Mount Holyoke (3-10) outscored Emerson (6-8) 12-9 in the extra session to take the non-conference victory 71-68.

A free throw by Kate Shafir gave the Lyons a 60-59 lead in the overtime stanza, but two free throws by Emerson’s Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn., left) gave the lead back to the Lions. After a missed Shafir jumper, Vassallo dropped in a layup and connected on the ensuing free throw to give Emerson a 64-60 advantage. 

Olsen drilled another three-pointer to bring Mount Holyoke within a point. Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) drove the lane for a layup to give Emerson a 66-63 lead, but Olson again nailed a three to tie the score. Two foul shots by Olson and another by Erin Cain gave the Lyons a three point lead. Vassallo scored on a layup with two seconds remaining to bring Emerson to within one, but Katie Austen dropped two free throws to end the scoring.

The game was close throughout with Emerson twice holding a seven point first half lead before entering the break with 34-29 advantage. The Lions extended the lead to nine on three different second half occasions, the last being 48-39 with 12:42 remaining. A 12-2 run over the next 8:35 gave Mount Holyoke a 51-50 lead. Emerson again pulled ahead by five with 1:31 remaining in regulation, but an Olson layup followed by her three-point shot forged the tie.

Olson had a double-double for the Lyons with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Amber Sinicrope with 14 and Marissa Barone with 15 were also in double figures. Vassallo had a double-double of her own for the Lions with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass.) had 12 points, and Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I.) chipped in 11 in a losing cause.

Emerson’s next game is Saturday at 1:00pm at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I.

Lions Go To OT To Trim Raiders, 79-69

Game Boxscore

Boston, Mass. (1/15/08) – Rivier’s Justine Nims hit three free throws with 1.2 seconds left to force overtime, but Emerson College (6-7, 1-1 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) scored the first eight points of the extra session and went on to defeat Rivier 95-8, 0-2 GNAC) 79-69 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match-up.

Emerson led 57-48 with 7:09 remaining in regulation after a layup by Kathy Andrade (FY., Hull, Mass.). Rivier continued to chip away and narrowed the gap to one point on two Sadie Hardiman free throws with 1:33 left in the second half. Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.), and Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y., pictured) each hit the front end of a two shot foul to give the Lions a 65-62 lead, but Nims calmly drilled her free throws to force the tie.

After trailing 3-0, Rivier ran out to a 15-5 lead to begin the game, but Emerson was able to bounce back on the long range shooting of Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I.). Destefano’s three point shot with 3:31 left in the half gave the Lions only their second lead of the game at 29-27. An Andrade layup moved the Emerson lead to 31-27 at the half.

Emerson had four players in double figures lead by Andrade’s 17. Kosek added 15 with six assists, DeStefano 14, and Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) had 13. Blair Carpenter had a double-double for the Raiders with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Nims had 10 points and Hardiman snared 11 rebounds.

Emerson next hosts Mount Holyoke College at 7:00pm on Thursday, January 17.

Norwich Defeats Emerson in GNAC Opener, 68-54

from Norwich University Sports Information, 1/12/08

Game Boxscore

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Christine Daniels notched her first career double-double, scoring a career-high 20 points and ripping down a career-best 17 rebounds, to lead the Norwich women’s basketball team to a 68-54 victory over Emerson on Saturday afternoon at Andrews Hall in the GNAC opener for both schools.  

Erica Rate added 19 points for the Cadets, who improve to 2-10 (1-0 GNAC). Ally Daniels chipped in six points and 10 rebounds for the NU, while Natalie Marchese contributed seven points and a game-high six assists off the bench. Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass.) scored a team-high 16 points for Emerson (5-7, 0-1 GNAC), while Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) and Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) each added 10 points for the Lions. 

Norwich broke open a close game with a 13-0 run during a six-minute stretch late in the second half to pull away from Emerson. The spurt turned a 53-50 Norwich lead at the 8:17 mark into a 66-50 NU edge with 2:49 to play, and the Cadets cruised from there. 

Norwich led 38-27 at halftime, but Emerson chipped away at the lead and eventually pulled to within 53-50, before the Cadets pulled away. 

Norwich got off to an 8-4 lead at the 17:22 mark, but Emerson used a 9-6 spurt over the next three minutes to trim NU’s lead to 14-13 with 14:24 to play in the opening half. A 9-0 burst by the Cadets during a two-minute span gave them a 23-13 advantage at the 12:25 mark.

Emerson reeled off six straight points to pull to within 23-19 just two minutes later, but Norwich held the Lions at bay over the remainder of the half, building a 37-28 halftime lead. 

Daniels led the Cadets in the first half with 12 points and nine rebounds. Rate and Jess Jaggars each chipped in six points apiece in the opening stanza as eight different Norwich players got in the scoring column. 

The Norwich defense held Emerson to just 31.9 percent shooting from the field. Norwich shot 38.6 percent from the floor. The Cadets held a commanding edge at the free throw line, where NU made 20-of-23 attempts compared to just 5-of-8 for the Lions.

Lions Win Battle of the Big Cats, Down Leopards 59-49

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. - Emerson College (5-6) went on a 12-2 run midway through the second half to break open a tight game and held on to defeat Wentworth (7-4) 59-49 in a non-conference contest at Emerson. The run was keyed by a pair of Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) three point shots.

Neither team could take control of the first half as there were five ties and five lead changes. Wentworth pulled ahead 26-25 with 51 seconds remaining in the half on a layup by Meaghan Gardner, but a Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass., left) free throw and a three point shot with six seconds remaining by Alleigh Marre (So., Ballston Spa, N.Y.) lifted the Lions to a 29-26 halftime advantage.

Wentworth twice narrowed the margin to one point in the second half. Kirsten Vallone hit a layup for the first points of the second stanza, and a free throw by Vallone made the score 32-31 with 16:48 remaining. Emerson answered with two free throws and a layup by Bri Papa (So., Camillus, N.Y.) and a traditional three-point play by Becky Everett (Sr., Orange, Mass.) swelled the Lions' lead to eight points. A jumper by Margo Ward and two Jessie Coffey free throws made the score 39-35. A jumper by Emerson's Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) and a layup by Coffey set the stage for the Lions' run.

Papa led Emerson with 15 points and gathered in eight rebounds. Andrade had a double-double with 12 points and 11 boards.

Vallone had a double-double for Wentworth with 11 points and a dozen caroms. Gardner also added 11 points, with Emily Cring scoring a game-high 18.

Emerson's next game is Saturday, January 12 at Norwich University at 1:00.

Fitchburg Defense Drops Emerson, 63-49

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. - Fitchburg State College (6-3) held Emerson College (4-6) to under 22% shooting in the first half to build a 10 point lead at the break and cruised to a 63-49 victory in a non-conference contest. After opening a 17-12 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half, Emerson was scoreless for the next 5:48 as Fitchburg went on a 12-0 run and closed out the half outscoring the Lions 16-1.  

In addition to the poor shooting, the Lions had 18 turnovers in the half on their way to 29 for the game. It took Emerson nearly three and a half minutes to score in the second half before Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) hit a layup to get Emerson back on the board. Two free throws by Okrah brought Emerson to within nine points with 16:27 left in the game, but that was as close as the Lions would come.  

A layup by Stephanie Payette gave Fitchburg its largest margin of the game with 8:07 remaining as the Falcons increased their lead to 59-38. Emerson crept back to within 13 with 2:43 left on the clock on an Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) jumper, but the Lions were unable to score on three consecutive trips.

Fitchburg got a double-double from Payette with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Diana Doyle was the Falcons' leading scorer with 14, while Michelle Ridge pitched in 12.

For Emerson Okrah and Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) each had a double-double with Okrah scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 caroms, and Vassallo pulling down 18 boards and scoring a dozen points.

Emerson plays Wentworth Institute of Technology at home in its next game on Thursday, January 10 at 7:00pm.

Lions Devour Lynx to take Wheaton Tourney Consolation, 65-45

from Wheaton College Sports Information, 1/4/08

Game Boxscore

During a back-and-forth first half in the consolation game of the Wheaton College New Year's Tournament, one in which the teams exchanged the lead 13 times and played to 10 ties, Emerson and Lesley combined for 18 field goals and 18 free throws. Consecutive hoops by sophomore Hailee Lowe sparked a 6-0 Lesley run that put the Lynx up, 11-6 at 13:17 of the first half, but Bri Papa (Jr., Camillus, NY) rallied Emerson by scoring all eight of her team's points during an 8-2 run that put the Lions back on top, 14-13 with 9:42 to play. Emerson led by as many as four on Papa's third three-pointer with 1:46 left, and the Lions entered the locker room with a 30-27 edge. Papa had a game-high 13 points at intermission, while Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, CT, left) had nine points and 10 rebounds. Lowe tallied 10 points for Lesley, which had 11 free throws and eight field goals while holding a 16-0 advantage in points off turnovers.

Emerson scored the first 16 points of the second half, with six coming from Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, MA), as Lesley missed its first 10 shots and had committed eight turnovers by the time they scored their first points on a Lowe bucket at 11:33. The Lions eventually led by as many as 21 points in the waning seconds after leading by at least 14 for the final 14:08 of regulation. The teams combined for 40 second-half turnovers and 62 for the game, and the Lynx outscored Emerson, 24-15 off turnovers.

Vassallo, who was named to the all-tournament team, finished with her second double-double in as many nights with 15 points on 7-of-7 shooting and 11 rebounds. Papa added 15 points and eight rebounds, and Okrah had 10 points and seven boards. Lowe notched 12 points, five rebounds and three steals for Lesley while being selected for the all-tournament squad.

Emerson next hosts Fitchburg State College on January 8 at 6:00pm.

Trinity Edges Emerson in Wheaton Tournament, 74-69

from Wheaton College Sports information - 1/3/08

Game Boxscore

Trinity never trailed in the second game of the evening in the Wheaton College New Year's Tournament and went on to a 74-69 victory over Emerson narrowly pulling away at the end of regulation. After the second tie of the opening stanza, 9-9 with less than 14 minutes left, the Bantams scored 14 of the game's next 16 points to earn their largest edge of the period, 23-11 at 9:45. Six different players contributed baskets during the run. Emerson trimmed its deficit to 33-30 with a little more than a minute left in the half, but its 20th turnover of the period gave the ball back to Trinity, which tallied the final five points.

The Bantams knocked down the first two baskets of the second stanza to go up by 12, and after the Lions made it 46-39 at 16:05, Trinity maintained a double-digit lead for much of the remainder of the contest until late. Emerson twice hit baskets during the final 2:18 to make it a five-point game, and Lindsay DeStefano's (Sr., Glocester, RI) step-back three brought her team within 70-67 with 48 seconds left. DeStefano later picked off an inbounds pass, and her team went to the line with a chance to cut into its three-point deficit, but the Lions missed two free throw tries before the Bantams scored on a breakaway.

Sophomore Claire Arnstein notched 14 points, seven assists and six steals to lead Trinity, while classmate Kristen Liska had 11 points. Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, CT) recorded a double-double for Emerson with 10 points and 13 rebounds, DeStefano had a game-high 16 points, and Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, MA) tallied 14 points and six assists.

Tomorrow's action begins with the consolation game at 5:30 p.m. between Emerson and Lesley.

Lions Turnover Win to Endicott, 72-55

from Endicott College Sports Information - 12/12/07

Game Boxscore

BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College scored 28 points off 24 Emerson turnovers, as the Gulls defeated the Lions, 72-55, on Wednesday evening in a non- conference match-up at the MacDonald Gymnasium in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Endicott began the game on a 10-0 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from junior guard Nicole Duchesne to put the Gulls up big early on. The Blue and Green would extend their lead to as many as 20 points in the opening half, as sophomore Kaylin Burke dialed in from behind the arc to put the Gulls up, 39-19, with just 35-seconds remaining in the opening frame. Endicott would enter the dressing room with a comfortable 18 point halftime lead.

The Gulls kept the pressure on in the second stanza as Sarah Doherty turned a Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) turnover into two-points, extending the home team’s advantage to 24. Moment’s later, Endicott grabbed its largest lead of the game as Kaylin Burke struck again from behind the arc, putting the Gulls ahead 56-27 with 11:44 remaining. 

Emerson did its best to hang around late in the second half as the Lions built a 9-1 run to cut the deficit down to 20. A 3-ball by Kelly Kwiecinski (Sr., Easthampton, Mass.) followed by successful jumpers from Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) and a wild deflection from Andrea Kosek (So., Latham, N.Y.) gave the visitors hope. However the Endicott lead proved to be too much, and late field goals by Rachel Hewes and Ashley Vitale sealed the win for Endicott.

The Gulls were led by a game-high 22 points from Nicole Duchesne. Ceciley Chisholm notched a double-double as she scored 15 points and grabbed a 10 rebounds in the win. Paris Sanders played strong defense as she had nine rebounds and four blocks for the Gulls.

Emerson was led by Kathy Andrade’s (FY., Hull, Mass.) 13 points and 10 rebounds. Vassallo also earned a double-double, scoring 12 points and hauling in 11 rebounds in the losing effort.

Emerson returns to action on Thursday January 3, 2008 against Trinity College in the Wheaton College Tournament. Tip-off is at 8:00pm.

Engineers Drop Lions, 48-44

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MASS. - Caitlin Macko hit a free throw with two seconds remaining to seal a 48-44 victory for WPI (2-4) over Emerson College (3-3) in a non-conference contest. The Engineers had seen a seven-point lead evaporate to 47-44 on a layup by Kathy Andrade (FY, Hull, Mass., left) with nine seconds remaining,

The game was close throughout with WPI holding a 20-19 halftime edge. The game was tied eight times in the first half, but the last lead Emerson could forge was 8-6.

The Lions took a 21-20 lead to begin the second half on a lay-up by Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.). WPI then scored the next six points on a jumper by Macko, a lay-up by Brittany McNally , and a lay-up by Rachel Salvatori. The Lions again pulled to within a single point with 11:17 remaining on a lay-up by Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I.), but WPI scored the game's next nine points for a lead the Engineers would not relinquish.

The game was sloppy throughout with each team committing 21 turnovers. WPI shot 34% from the field for the game while Emerson shot only 30%. Neither team made a three-point shot on 17 combined attempts.

Kaileen Selen was the leading scorer for WPI with 12 points with Macko adding 10. Vassallo netted 13 for Emerson. Andrade also reached double figures with 10.

Emerson will play at Endicott at 7:00pm Wednesday.

Vassallo Leads Emerson Women's Basketball Over UMASS Boston, 63-59

From UMass Boston Sports Information - 12/4/07

Game Boxscore

BOSTON, MA – Center Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn., left) netted 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the visiting Emerson College women’s basketball team over host University of Massachusetts Boston, 63-59, tonight at the Clark Athletic Center on the UMass Boston campus. The Beacons fall to 2-3 on the season, while the Lions improve to 3-2.

UMass Boston owned a 59-56 lead with 2:05 left to play in the game before guard Kathy Andrade (FY., Hull, Mass.) converted a pair of free throws with 1:53 showing to pull Emerson within 59-58. Vassallo would follow her teammate’s lead with a pair of successful free throws of her own, coming with 47 seconds remaining in the game to give the Lions a 60-59 edge. Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) made a lay-up with 27 seconds left for Emerson and Bri Papa (Jr., Camilus, N.Y.) made a free throw to complete a 7-0 run to close out the game for the Lions.

The Beacons looked to be in control, early in the first half, when they raced out to a 15-2 advantage with 14:48 on the first half clock, paced by seven points from freshman point guard Stephanie Vasquez and a pair of three-pointers from sophomore guard Caroline Ashe, but Emerson responded right away. Papa scored seven points as the Lions came roaring back with a 21-5 run to take a 23-20 lead with 7:29 to go in the opening half. Emerson maintained its lead throughout the remainder of the half and took a 29-26 margin into the intermission after holding UMass Boston to just 27.8% (10-36) shooting from the field for the half.

The Beacons wouldn’t go away in the first eight minutes of the second half and took a 41-39 lead on a jumper by senior guard LaKeisha Tucker at 11:49 of the second stanza. The Lions later reclaimed the lead at 43-41 with 10:34 left in the game, but UMass Boston scored 10 unanswered points to take a 51-43 advantage with 7:34 to play in the second half. The Beacons held onto a 55-47 lead with 5:40 to go in the contest, before Emerson closed out the game on a 16-4 burst.

Vassallo finished the night shooting 6-10 from the field and added a steal, a block and an assist for the Lions, while Papa scored 15 points to go with three steals, an assist and a rebound. Okrah chipped in with 10 points, two rebounds and three steals.

Emerson hosts WPI on December 8 at 2:00 pm.

Wellesley College Basketball Downs Emerson, 50-48

From Wellesley College Sports Information - 12/1/07

Game Boxscore

WELLESLEY, MASS. – Wellesley College junior Jessica Duff recorded her third double-double of the season, as the Blue downed Emerson College 50-48 on Saturday afternoon in Wellesley.

In the first half, Wellesley took a 6-3 lead at the 18-minute mark off of three points each from Duff and Courtney Richter. A defensive battle, neither team managed a point over the next seven minutes until Wellesley’s Nicole Labbee hit a free throw to push the Blue lead to 7-3.

With six minutes to play, Emerson’s Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.)converted a three-point play to tie the game at 13-13. Vassallo’s three points sparked a 10-0 run for the Lions as Emerson went ahead 20-13 with just over two minutes to play in the first half.

With 1:46 left in the half, Wellesley’s Courtney Pelley hit a three-pointer followed by a lay-up to even the score at 20-20. However, the Lions scored the next two baskets to take a 24-20 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, the Blue took a 29-28 lead when Richter hit a three with 17:10 left in the game. The Lions went back on top 30-29 when Becky Everett (Sr., Orange, Mass.) picked up two points. After Everett’s basket, Wellesley scored nine unanswered points over the next five minutes to take a 38-30 lead with 12 minutes to play.

The Lions put together a run of their own and with eight minutes to play, a Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, RI) lay-up cut the Wellesley lead to 42-41. DeStefano followed it up with a three-pointer that gave Emerson a 44-42 lead with 5:48 on the clock.

Down 48-46 with just over a minute to play, Wellesley’s Katie Martore got the Blue one point closer after hitting a free-throw. On the next possession, Wellesley forced an Emerson turnover to regain control of the ball with 52 seconds left in the game. With Wellesley in control, Martore got the ball inside to Julia Thomas who was fouled and converted both free throws to give the Blue a 49-48 lead with 32 seconds left in the game.

Following another Emerson turnover, the Lions were forced to foul. Martore once again hit one of two shots and Wellesley took a 50-48 lead with nine-seconds left to play. After the Lions missed a three-pointer with five seconds on the clock, a Wellesley foul on the in-bounds play gave Emerson one last chance. However, the Lions were unable to hit a last-ditch jumper and Wellesley got the 50-48 win.

For Emerson, Vassallo recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 boards. DeStefano and Bri Papa (So., Camilus, NY) each chipped in with 10 points while Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, MA) amassed 14 rebounds.

The Lions (2-2) are back in action on Tuesday with a 5:30 start at UMass-Boston.For game box scores click on the blue highlighted score in the title.

Emerson Defeats MIT in Women's Basketball, 54-43

(From MIT Sports Information - 11/29/07)

Game Boxscore

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In its first game after a 12-day hiatus, Emerson College emerged with a 54-43 victory over MIT in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Thursday. With the win, the Lions improved to 2-1 on the year while the Engineers fell to 1-3.

The early stages of the game were a back-and-forth affair as Emerson crept out to a 9-6 advantage after five minutes elapsed. Back-to-back three-pointers by Clara Yuan and Alice Yeh put MIT ahead, 12-9, at the 12:01 mark. The Lions countered with 10 straight points during the next three minutes to reclaim the lead for good. A three-point play by Yeh ended the run and narrowed the gap to four (19-15). Emerson responded by tallying 12 out of the next 15 points to establish its largest lead of the half (31-18) with 4:49 on the clock. The Engineers closed out the frame with an 8-2 run that resulted in a 33-26 deficit at the break.

Yeh continued to power MIT’s offense in the second stanza as she posted five points during the first 41 seconds. Baskets by Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn., above left), Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I.), and Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) helped maintain Emerson’s edge as it led, 39-31, at 18:21. The next 12 minutes became a defensive battle as both sides combined for 10 points. A jumper by Alleigh Marre (So., Ballston Spa. N.Y. ) sparked a 9-0 run by the Lions as they extended their lead to 17 (54-37) with 4:13 on the clock. MIT held Emerson scoreless for the rest of the game as a lay-up from Sally Simpson and a pair of baskets by Kelsey Cappelle closed out the scoring for the Cardinal and Gray.

Emerson’s DeStefano finished with 12 points, four assists, and two blocks as Vassallo amassed 12 rebounds, eight points and three steals. Okrah chipped in 10 points.

Saturday, Dec. 1, Emerson will make the trip to Wellesley College for a 1:00pm start.

Lions Rebound to take Consolation, 73-58

(From UMaine Farmington Sports Information 11/18/07)

Game Boxscore

Trailing by a point at intermission, Emerson College opened the second half with a 17-5 run to take control of the consolation game of the UMaine Farmington Tip-Off Tournament and roll to a win over the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions evened their record at 1-1, while the Owls dropped to 0-2.

Lauren Vassallo (Jr., Oxford, Conn.) tallied 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the win, while Maude Okrah (Jr., Rutland, Mass.) pitched in 18 points. All-tournament team selection Bri Papa (So., Camilus, N.Y., left) added 15 points.

UMPI took a 35-34 lead into intermission by the hot hand of Megan Korhonen and the inside play of Erica Davis (Cumberland, ME). Korhonen scored 16 of her game-high 24 points in the opening half with five 3-pointers. Davis also scored 11 of her 19 points in the opening frame.

Lions Drop Season opener to #17 USM, 65-79

(From UMaine Farmington Sports Information 11/18/07)

Game Boxscore

The University of Southern Maine, ranked 17th nationally in Division III, rode the double-figure scoring of Stacy Kent, Nicole Paradis and Josalee Danieli to take a 79-65 victory over Emerson College in the first round of the UMaine Farmington tip-Off Tournament. Kent scored 16 points. Paradis threw in 14 points, including a 3-for-3 performance from behind the arc in the win while Danieli also got into double figures with 11 points for the Huskies.

Lindsay DeStefano (Sr., Glocester, R.I., left) paced Emerson with 17 points with Bri Papa (So., Camilus, N.Y.) adding 16 points.