RELEASE DATE: 2/19/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: RECORD-BREAKING DAY FOR THE MOUNTIES IN THEIR 75-62 WIN OVER KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

MANSFIELD- Stephanie Rieser scored a game high 19 points to become the 11^th Mountaineer to score 1,000 points  in the Mountaineers 75-62 victory over Kutztown University at Decker Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. 

“Obviously this game had huge implications for us,” said Mountaineers head coach Ruth Henderson.  “We really established the tone of the game in the first half with a lot of unselfish play.” 

Mansfield took control from the tip-off and never trailed in the game.  The Mountaineers went on an 11-2 run with 5:59 left in the first half on a 3-pointer by Jessica Uhrich to build a 39-20 lead.  Mansfield went into the locker room leading 43-25 behind Rieser’s 11 first half points.

The Mounties came out strong in the second half, taking their largest lead of the game 56-31 with 14:51 left to play on a lay-up by Alison Tagliaferri.  Kutztown would make a run, bringing the game within nine with 2:07 left to play, but it would not be enough as Mansfield would go 6-8 from the free throw line to secure the victory. 

Tagliaferri became the second leading scorer in MU history just 12 seconds into the second half.  Posting a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, she surpassed Donna Kukura’s (1980-1983) 1,289 career points. Only a junior, Tagliaferri boosted her career total to 1,293 points and needs 83 points to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. 

Rieser scored the 1,000^th point of her career with 16:53 left to play hitting the last of her five 3-pointers on the day.  She connected on 7 of 8 from the floor and scoring a game high 19 points. 

Two other Mounties in double-figures were: Laura Scordino with 13 points and Jessica Uhrich with 11 points and eight rebounds. 

Kutztown was led by Jess Brady with 14 points. 

Mansfield kept its playoff hopes alive with the win over Kutztown.  They are now tied with East Stroudsburg University for 5^th place in the PSAC East; one game behind Kutztown for the 4^th and final playoff spot.  All three teams have two games remaining. 

Mansfield will travel to East Stroudsburg University on February 23^rd for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.