Steve Finkernagel

WILKES WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES VS. MANHATTANVILLE

1/12/2012 3:16:00 PM

(Complete Game Notes)

WILKES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES VS. MANHATTANVILLE

Wilkes Lady Colonels (4-9, 0-3) vs. Manhattanville Valiants (5-8, 0-3)
Saturday, January 14, 2012 - 1:00 p.m.
Purchase, N.Y. / Kennedy Gym

Live Stats

Live Audio (ESPNWilliamsport.com/Play-By-Play: Trevor Turner)

AT A GLANCE
Wilkes University continues Freedom Conference action as they travel to Purchase, New York as they take on Manhattanville College. Last season the Valiants defeated the Lady Colonels twice (86-65 and 84-72). Game time is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Gym.

LAST TIME OUT
The Wilkes women's basketball team suffers 83-65 setback against Delaware Valley Wednesday evening from the Marts Center in Freedom play.

Wilkes won the opening tip-off and scored the first basket of the night. In the first half both teams exchanged points as the game went back and forth. With ten minutes remaining Delaware Valley was up by six points, 20-14. The Lady Colonels cut the deficit to just one point with 7:17 left with a shot made by Whitney Connolly (Liberty, PA/Liberty). At the half Delaware Valley held a slight edge, 38-35.

In the second half, Wilkes notched the game up at 44 with 17 minutes left to play. A steal by Megan Kazmerski (Kingston, PA/Holy Redeemer) which turned into a layup and then Amanda Pawlowski (Nanticoke, PA/Holy Redeemer) knocked down a three-pointer. It was the first time all night both the teams were all tied up. After that the Aggies never looked back as they took control of the game. With six and change left Delaware Valley was up 66-53. Wilkes did as much as they could to cut the lead as they were down by nine with two minutes remaining. Delaware Valley earned their ninth win of the season and went up by 15 to close the game out as it was their largest lead.

Three players led the way for Wilkes in double-digits. Kazmerski (17), Connolly (15) and Elena Stambone (Jessup, PA/Valley View) (11). Kazmerski added seven total rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Connolly chipped in five rebounds, one assist and one steal. Stambone was second on the team with seven rebounds on the night. Allison Walsh (Dickson City, PA/Mid Valley) (Dickson City, PA/Mid Valley) garnered nine rebounds to lead the way and put up seven points. Pawlowski continues to lead the way for the Lady Colonels in assists with five on the evening and had eight points. Pawlowski played 38 total minutes as the soul leader on the court.

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 87 games and 61 starts under her belt. For the season, Connolly averages 9.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg shooting 79.7 percent (47-59) from the charity stripe.

Pawlowski, a junior captain, is also one of the most experienced Lady Colonels. Playing in 62 career games earning 61 starts, she has logged over 1,700 minutes on the court for Wilkes. Pawlowski is the floor general for Wilkes averaging 4.3 apg through twelve 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 12.5 ppg and 5.7 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 22 points shooting 8-for-17 from the floor and 5-for-10 from beyond the arc in the victory against Susquehanna. She has hit double figures in scoring eight 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 9.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg starting all eleven contests at shooting guard for Wilkes. She poured in a season high 21 points in the loss against Centenary College. She possesses the ability to break down defenders and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Connolly has hit 39.6 percent (38-96) of her shots from the field in 22.4 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 including a season-high eight helpers against Susquehanna and Lycoming. For the season, she is averaging 4.3 points, 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds in a team-high 31.9 minutes per-contest.

ROOKIE RUNNING WILD
Stambone is off to a great start in a Wilkes uniform with 12.2 ppg and averages 2.5 rpg. She is shooting 33.5 percent (58-173) from the field and 24.6 percent (17-69) from three-point range in 21.1 mpg off the bench for the Lady Colonels. She has reached double figures in eight games, pouring in a career-high 19 points in the win over PSU Wilkes-Barre. Stambone finished with a team-high 22 points including three steals and two rebounds in a loss at Albright.

DYNAMIC FRONTCOURT DUO
Rookie forwards Allison Walsh (Dickson City, PA/Mid Valley) and Chelsea Brown (Garnet Valley, PA/Garnet Valley) have adjusted to the college game just fine as the duo has combine for 13.5 points and 13.8 rpg in the first twelve Wilkes games of 2011-12. Walsh is averaging 8.4 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds earning twelve starts this year. The freshman is shooting 45.7 percent (32-70) from the field scoring a majority of her points in the paint. Her 43 offensive rebounds leads the squad. Brown adds 5.1 points and 6.4 rebounds including 49 defensive boards.

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