Devils Cruise to Win in CACC Opener

Caitlin Shaw led four players in double figures as the University of the Sciences women's basketbal team cruised to a 78-44 victory in their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener against Georgian Court University Tuesday night in Lakewood, New Jersey.

The win, the Devils third straight, ups their record to 4-2 overall nad 1-0 in league play.  The Lions fall to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in conference games.

Shaw connected on eight of 14 shots from the field and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line to lead Sciences with 21 points.  Marissa Chesnavich added 14 points (5-6 FG, 4-5 FT) and grabbed a game-high ten rebounds.   Colleen Christian also had 14 points, a season-high, while dishing out five assists.  Becca Ruggear was the fourth player in double figures, scoring a career high 13 points.  Erica Simi also had a career high with seven points (7-8 FT). 

Jasmine Lewis was the one bright spot for the Lions, scoring 17 points.  Tara Fearon added five rebounds and Brittany Baker had three assists.

The game was close for the first seven minutes until an 11-0 run by the Devils turned a two point lead into a 13-point bulge, 22-9 with 8:52 left in the opening period.  The Lions pulled within eight twice over the next two minutes before the Devils rattled off 12 straight points, the first six by Christian to lead by 20, 36-16 with 3:01 left.  Layups by Chesnavich, Carolyn Edwards and a jumper from Shaw completed the run.  Ruggear closed out the half with a basket to make the score 40-18 at the break.

Sciences still led by 22 46-24 wh Scieen Chesnavich converted an 'and-1' and Sarah Hickman and Shaw each sank a pair of free throws to start off a 14-6 spurt that saw the Devils lead balloon to 30, 60-30 with 9:22 left.A 7-2 run by the Lions was followed by a 10-1 run by the Devils which included four free throws from Simi and another pair from Hickman, giving the Devils their largest lead of the game, 34 points, 72-38 with 3:62 left.  The lead remained above 30 the rest of the way as the Devils cruised home with a 34=point win 78-44.

The Devils held the Lions to a 31.1% shooting effort (19-61) while shooting 41.5% themselves (22-53).  Sciences big advantage came at the foul line, connecting on 31 of 36 shots while Georgian Court was 5-for-10.  The Devils held a 38-33 advantage on the glass and committed just 15 turonvers while dishing out 18 assists.  Georgian court had 22 turnovers with just 11 assists.

The women's basketball team returns to action on Thursday, December 8, 2010 when they travel to nationally ranked Millersville University.  Tip off against the #11 Marauders is set for 6:00 p.m.