RELEASE DATE: 01/23/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTAINEER WOMEN OPEN PSAC EAST PLAY WITH HISTORIC VICTORIES-- BREAK 30 GAME AND 23 YEAR LOSING STREAKS

MANSFIELD -- The Mansfield University Women's Basketball team struggled after beginning the season with four straight wins, earning only one victory in their next ten games. With four straight losses heading into PSAC East Conference play last week, the Mounties were huge underdogs in each of their first two PSAC East match-ups.

Underdogs might even be a bit of an understatement when you consider the recent history between these teams. Mansfield opened their PSAC East season Wednesday at home against defending PSAC East champions Millersville University. Mansfield had not beaten Millersville in their last 30 consecutive meetings.

After looking flat in the first half and turning the ball over an uncharacteristic 19 times, Mansfield came to play in the second half. Slowly chipping away at what was a double digit lead, the Mounties found themselves on top with under three seconds to go after an Alison Tagliaferri layup found its mark. Mansfield earned their first victory over Millersville in 30 games, and started the PSAC East season at 1-0.

With little time to relish in their victory, the women boarded a bus for West Chester for what seemed like an even more daunting task. Mansfield had not beaten West Chester at home in 23 years, dating back to 1983 for their last victory over the Golden Rams in Hollinger Field House. The Mounties would ride their underdog position into West Chester without fear on Saturday searching to go 2-0 in conference play.

Before tip-off, West Chester was tied for first place in the PSAC East with a 2-0 conference record. West Chester won the initial tip and it looked as if the Mounties would be forced to play catch-up once again as the Golden rams pulled out to a 9-2 early lead. Maintaining their seven point lead up to 20-13, West Chester appeared to be in control.  The Mounties chipped away until Jessica Uhrich tied the game at 28 with 2:18 to play in the half. Mansfield entered the locker room trailing 33-31 at halftime.

West Chester opened the second half with a 5-0 run and looked to regain control of the contest. In characteristic Mansfield fashion, the Mounties dug deep and chipped back at the Golden Ram lead until Brittany Reed tied the game at 50 with 11:00 to play.  Over the next eight minutes, there would be 10 ties or lead changes as both teams failed to give in. With 3:50 to play, senior point guard Tiffany Taylor nailed a three-pointer that started Mansfield on a 13-6 run to end the game with their second consecutive PSAC East victory, 72-65 over West Chester for the first time in Hollinger Field House since 1983. The victory moved the Mountaineers to 2-0 in the PSAC East, putting them first in the conference rankings.

Mansfield rode the success of clutch upper classmen through the two game win streak but relied on newcomers as well.

Leading the Mounties to no surprise was senior Alison Tagliaferri. Tagliaferri had a total of 40 points in these two games, with 22 points against Millersville, and 18 against West Chester. She also pulled down 18 rebounds over the two game span. Tagliaferri was 14-of-27 from the field (51.9%) and an impressive 12-of-14 (85.7%) from the charity stripe. She ranks second in the PSAC in scoring averaging 17.4 points per game and ranks sixth in rebounding with 8.9 boards per game.

The one-two punch wouldn't be complete without stellar performances by junior Jessica Uhrich, and she would not disappoint. Uhrich recorded 32 points over the two games and even more impressively pulled down 21 rebounds with eight assists, six blocked shots, and three steals. Uhrich ranks 11th in the PSAC in scoring averaging 13.9 points per game and leads the PSAC in rebounding averaging 10.3 rebounds per game.

Sophomore Alicia Espigh has turned up in a big way in Mansfield's close contests this season, and her presence was a key factor in the Mounties back to back victories. Espigh scored 27 points in those two games, including 18 points against West Chester. She was 5-of-6 from the three-point line in that game. Over the two game span, she shot 66.7% from the field and an outstanding 60.0% from behind the arc. Espigh ranks 18th in the PSAC in scoring averaging 11.7 points per game and ranks first in three-point field goal percentage (47.3%)

Tiffany Taylor, another tried and true senior member of the Mountaineers, put in perhaps her best game of the season at West Chester. Taylor recorded 11 points, five assists and three steals including the three-pointer that sparked the Mounties 13-6 run to the finish. Taylor ranks 10th in the PSAC in assists averaging 3.63 per game.

Freshmen Courtney Brooks and Mallory Hafer also made big contributions to Mansfield's victories. Brooks played 47 minutes over the two games and recorded 10 points, and three assists. Perhaps the best part about adding Brooks to the lineup is the addition of a strong and quick defender. Brooks leads the team and ranks seventh in the PSAC in steals with 34 on the season, including five in the last two games. Mallory Hafer contributed six points over the last two games, both off three-point baskets. Both of her three-pointers were crucial in that they sparked Mansfield runs to keep the Mountaineers in the game.

Mansfield is 7-9 overall and shares a lead with Kutztown in the PSAC East with a 2-0 conference record. The Mounties are back in action Wednesday night January 25th when they travel to Bloomsburg University for a 5:30 contest. That game will be broadcast live on WNTE 89.5fm as well as online at www.gomounties.com.