Steve Finkernagel

LADY COLONELS HOSTING SUSQUEHANNA WEDNESDAY IN NON-LEAGUE MATCHUP

12/6/2011 11:02:00 AM

(Complete Game Notes)

LADY COLONELS HOSTING SUSQUEHANNA WEDNESDAY IN NON-LEAGUE MATCHUP

Wilkes Lady Colonels (3-3) vs. Susquehanna Crusaders (2-4)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 7:00 P.M.
Wilkes-Barre, PA / Marts Center

Live Stats

Live Audio (Play-by-Play: Trevor Turner)

AT A GLANCE
Wilkes returns home to the Marts Center where the Lady Colonels welcome Landmark Conference member Susquehanna University for a non-league contest at 7:00 p.m. The teams split the series the last two years as Wilkes grabbed a 75-73 win in Selinsgrove, Pa. last season, while Susquehanna captured a 55-40 decision in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. in 2009-10.

LAST TIME OUT
Wilkes suffered its third straight loss of the 2011-12 campaign as the Lady Colonels dropped a road Freedom contest at DeSales University 84-56 in Center Valley, Pa. Saturday afternoon.

After the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 15-5 lead, Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) sank a deep three-pointer off an assist from Elena Stambone (Jessup, PA/Valley View) (Jessup, PA/Valley View) to cut the deficit to seven with 15:54 left in the first half. Four straight points from Stambone followed by a Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty) jumper brought the Lady Colonels to within three at 17-14 with 11:25 left in the frame.

From there, DeSales used an 18-7 run over the next six minutes of play to push their lead back to double digits at 37-26 with just less than five minutes till the break. The Bulldogs would settle for a 44-33 lead at the half as Stambone connected on a trey right before the end of the half.

An 8-0 run to open the second half gave DeSales all the breathing room they would need as the hosts took a commanding 58-40 lead with 14:05 left in the contest. Another 8-0 run just two minutes later kept Wilkes at bay throughout the second half as the Lady Colonels were unable to muster any type of momentum for a comeback attempt.

Stambone led the way for Wilkes finishing with 15 points and three steals. Connolly followed with 13 points and four rebounds. Wilkes shot just 31.5 percent (17-54) from the floor and 25.0 percent (5-20) from long range as the DeSales defense caused problems throughout for the Lady Colonels offense.

THE CAPTAINS
The Lady Colonels are captained by Sr. G Whitney Connelly and Jr. G Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer).

Connolly brings her all-around game back to the Lady Colonels for her final season, as she has 80 games and 54 starts under her belt. For the season, Connolly averages 8.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg shooting 72.7 percent (16-22) from the charity stripe.

Pawlowski, a junior captain, is also one of the most experienced Lady Colonels. Playing in 55 career games earning 54 starts, she has logged over 1,550 minutes on the court for Wilkes. Pawlowski is the floor general for Wilkes averaging 5.3 apg through six contests.

THE SCORER
Kazmerski led the Lady Colonels in scoring as a freshman scoring 11.5 ppg in her 26.6 mpg of action, then followed that ranking second on the team last year at 11.4 ppg in 31.1 mpg of play. She hit double figures 19 times during the season, including the final seven contests.

With a 34.3 FG%, Kazmerski went 111-324 from the floor and also led the team with 7.5 rpg, including 153 defensive boards (6.1 pg). Kazmerski jumped out to a quick start this season averaging 11.2 ppg and 5.3 rpg. She registered her first double-double of the year pouring in 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the win at Keystone. Kazmerski posted a season-high 21 points shooting 8-for-13 from the floor and 5-for-9 from beyond the arc in the defeat against Misericordia. She has hit double figures in scoring three times this season.

ALL-AROUND
One of the most versatile players for the Lady Colonels, Connelly has been a major contributor on both ends of the floor this season. Connelly, the lone senior on this year's squad, has taken a large leadership role for Wilkes in the backcourt. She averages 8.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg starting all six contests at shooting guard for Wilkes. She possesses the ability to break down defenders and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Connolly has hit 40.5 percent (17-42) of her shots from the field in 19.8 mpg.

RUNNING THE POINT
A 23-game starter as a sophomore last year, Pawlowski returns to the point for the Lady Colonels this season.

Pawlowski registered three or more assists in every contest thus far this season for Wilkes. For the season, she is averaging 3.2 points, 5.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds in a team-high 25.7 minutes per-contest.

ROOKIE RUNNING WILD
Stambone is off to a great start in a Wilkes uniform topping the squad with 12.8 ppg and 1.5 rpg. She is shooting 39.2 percent (29-74) from the field and 28.1 percent (9-32) from three-point range in 18.3 mpg off the bench for the Lady Colonels.

She has reached double figures in four games, pouring in a career-high 19 points in the win over PSU Wilkes-Barre. Stambone finished with a team-high 15 points including two treys in the loss at DeSales, her first career Freedom road contest.

DYNAMIC FRONTCOURT DUO
Rookie forwards Alison Walsh and Chelsea Brown (Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley) have adjusted to the college game just fine as the duo has combine for 12.4 points and 13.3 rpg in the first six Wilkes games of 2011-12.

Walsh is averaging 6.7 points and 6.5 rebounds earning five starts this year. The freshman is shooting 43.3 percent (13-30) from the field scoring a majority of her points in the paint. Her 23 offensive rebounds leads the squad.

Brown has been equally as impressive adding 5.7 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds including 27 defensive boards.

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