RELEASE DATE: 2/18/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tagliaferri scores 22 as Mountaineers secure key PSAC East win over Kutztown

KUTZTOWN – Alison Tagliaferri scored 22 points and Alicia Espigh added 21 as the Mountaineers took a huge step toward securing their first PSAC playoff berth in school history with an 83-67 victory over Kutztown Saturday at Keystone Arena.

“It was a phenomenal win and I’m proud of their play on both offense and defense,” said head coach Ruth Hermansen after her team’s third straight win.

The Mountaineers shot 56 percent from the floor, including 9 of 15 from three-point range, to represent their best shooting percentage of the season. They shot 54.5 percent Feb. 11 against West Chester.

Four of the Mountaineer starters scored in double-digits against Kutztown. Courtney Brooks scored 15, including nine from three point range, and Tiffany Taylor had ten to go along with the performances turned in by Tagliaferri and Espigh.

Defensively, Brooks recorded four of Mansfield’s ten steals, to give her 61 on the season. Jessica Uhrich pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, including six defensive boards. As a team, Mansfield held Kutztown to 38.7 percent shooting and held a 30-23 edge in defensive rebounds.

The Golden Bears jumped out to the early 3-0 lead, but could not pull ahead any further. Mansfield tied the game at seven all at the 16:58 mark of the first half on a jumper by Espigh. A minute later, Taylor nailed a three pointer off a rebound by Espigh and Mansfield took the lead for good.

Taylor hit her second three pointer at the 6:53 mark to give the Mountaineers an 11 point lead, their largest of the first half. Kutztown, however, would battle back, going on an 8-2 run in the final 2:13 in the half to pull within five points at half time.

The Mountaineers would not allow Kutztown to get any closer, opening the second half on a 6-0 lead on a two-pointer by Espigh followed by two layups by Tagliaferri. After that, Mansfield and Kutztown played a back-and-forth game and neither team put together a significant run.

Kutztown was led by Lara Dellegrotti and Tricia McElmoyle, who scored 16 and 15 points respectively.

With the win, the Mountaineers improve to 11-14 overall and 6-4 in conference play. The win is significant for the Mountaineers, who put themselves in the driver’s seat for the playoff berth.

Mansfield rounds out the regular season with a home contest against East Stroudsburg followed by an away game against last place Cheyney. A win over East Stroudsburg would give the Mountaineers a win over every PSAC East team, which would be another first for the women’s basketball program.

Newspaper Box Score

Mansfield vs Kutztown

02/18/06 1:00 PM at Keystone Arena, Kutztown, Pa.

At Keystone Arena, Kutztown, PA

MANSFIELD 83, KUTZTOWN 67

MANSFIELD (11-14, 6-4 PSAC E)

TAGLIAFERRI, Alison 8-10 6-12 22; ESPIGH, Alicia 7-10 4-4 21; BROOKS, Courtney 4-5 4-4 15; TAYLOR, Tiffany 4-9 0-1 10; UHRICH, Jessica 3-8 0-0 6; AYERS, Becky 1-4 2-2 5; AKINS, Katie 1-1 2-2 4; HAFER, Mallory 0-1 0-0 0; AKINS, Emily 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 28-50 18-25 83.

KUTZTOWN (15-9, 7-3 PSAC E)

DELLEGROTTI, Lara 5-7 2-2 16; McELMOYLE, Tricia 6-16 0-0 15; DUDECK, Trish 4-8 4-7 12; VAN WAGNER, Mercedes 3-9 3-6 9; WEIDENSAUL, Rachel 3-6 2-4 9; REYNA, Lisi 2-4 0-0 4; BRADY, Jess 1-4 0-0 2; ELLIOT, Sara 0-2 0-0 0; BAINBRIDGE, Megan 0-6 0-0 0. Totals 24-62 11-19 67.

Mansfield.....................   39   44  -   83

Kutztown......................   34   33  -   67

3-point goals-Mansfield 9-15 (BROOKS, Courtney 3-4; ESPIGH, Alicia 3-4; TAYLOR, Tiffany 2-3; AYERS, Becky 1-3; HAFER, Mallory 0-1), Kutztown 8-15 (DELLEGROTTI, Lara 4-4; McELMOYLE, Tricia 3-8; WEIDENSAUL, Rachel 1-1; BAINBRIDGE, Megan 0-2). Fouled out--Mansfield-UHRICH, Jessica, Kutztown-DUDECK, Trish. Rebounds-Mansfield 33 (UHRICH, Jessica 8), Kutztown 35 (VAN WAGNER, Mercedes 9). Assists-Mansfield 22 (TAYLOR, Tiffany 6), Kutztown 16 (BAINBRIDGE, Megan 4). Total fouls-Mansfield 15, Kutztown 19.

A-425