Press Release
12/17 - WILLIAM SMITH 61, GEORGE FOX 58: Herons Hands Bruins First Loss in CalLu Tournament
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Maria Vespa scored the winning free throws with 1:45 left, then made a game-saving steal with seven seconds left as the William Smith College Herons handed the George Fox University Bruins their first loss of the women's basketball season 61-58 in the opening game of the Posada Royale #1 Tournament Monday afternoon here at California Lutheran University's Gilbert Arena.
George Fox, ranked 15th in the latest NCAA Division III national poll by D3hoops.com, jumped out to a 5-0 lead on a three-pointer by Jaime Hubka and a basket by Tiffany Behary, but the Herons went on a 9-2 run, capped by a three from Mollie Danahy, to take the lead and maintained it throughout most of the first half. The Bruins tied it 24-24 on a free throw by Behary late in the half, but Vespa, a three-time All-Liberty League guard, nailed a three with 16 seconds left to put William Smith up 27-24 at the half.
Hubka hit another three 10 seconds into the second half, tying the game 27-27 and igniting a 20-5 run that gave George Fox a 12-point lead of 44-32 with 14:43 left in the game. Hubka, Katy Campbell, and Kaleigha Ramey hit back-to-back-to-back threes to finish off the Bruin outburst. The Bruins were still up by nine at 50-41 with just over eight minutes left when the Herons reeled off nine in a row, tying it 50-50 on a jumper by Erin Cunningham with 5:53 remaining.
Three free throws by Behary and a layup by Campbell moved the Bruins back in front 55-50 with 4:14 to go, but Vespa hit a trey and, after another Campbell free throw, Cunningham and Latasha Coney hit baskets for a 57-56 William Smith lead with 2:26 left. Campbell hit two more free throws with two minutes to go for a 58-57 Bruin lead, but Vespa hit a pair at 1:45 for the eventual winning points.
Vespa missed a free throw with 23 seconds left, giving the Bruins a final chance to win, but redeemed herself by swiping the ball from Campbell with seven seconds to go. Paula Foote was fouled and sank two free throws with three seconds remaining to seal the Herons' win.
Campbell topped the Bruins with 14 points, 12 in the second half, while Behary added 11 and Elise Kuenzi 10. Behary led the Bruins on the boards with five rebounds and picked up three steals, while Campbell passed out three assists. Melissa Marek-Farris had three blocked shots among the nine the Bruins had in the game.
Vespa led all scorers with 19 points, while Stephanie Czajkowski chipped in with 12 and Coney had 10. Cunningham's nine rebounds led the Herons to a 35-32 advantage on the boards. Vespa also handed out six assists and had three steals.
In the second game Monday, host Cal Lutheran met California Sate University-East Bay. George Fox (5-1) will play in the consolation game Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. against the loser of the CLU-CSUEB game, while William Smith (4-1) will take on the CLU-CSUEB winner at 6:00 p.m.