Mounties Jessica Uhrich records third straight double-double including 24 rebounds

MANSFIELD – Mansfield University junior Jessica Uhrich hit her third consecutive double-double and pulled down the second most rebounds in a game in school history, but the Mountaineers (5-7) could not overcome Lock Haven’s quick-scoring offense and stingy defense in a 81-69 setback in a PSAC crossover contest Sunday afternoon in Decker Gymnasium.

Lock Haven (10-2) had five players score in double figures to lead a fast offense that rarely needed more than a few seconds to score.

The Bald Eagles’ defense was a key in the second half. Lock Haven held Mansfield to 27 second half points and recorded nine of their 14 steals in the final frame. Lock Haven’s Ilia Lopez had five steals, all in the second half.

The Bald Eagles had good reason to regroup for the second half. The Mountaineers closed out an otherwise back-and-forth first half with a 14-4 run, sparked by the shooting of Uhrich, Becky Ayers, and Jersey Shore graduate Alison Tagliaferri. That run put the Mountaineers up by four points going into the locker room.

In the second half, Uhrich hit the first two pointers before the Bald Eagles responded with nine points of their own to take the lead. The Bald Eagles did not trail again after Ginger Williams hit a two-pointer and a free throw to give her team the 45-44 lead.

A bright spot for Mansfield was the rebounding of Uhrich, who seemed to be in position to grab the board all afternoon. Her 24 rebounds, including 20 defensive boards, surpassed the tally of 21 pulled down by Rachel Rieder against Cheyney on Jan. 25, 2003. The school record for the Mountaineers was set by Deb Gmys, who had 28 against Elmira College Jan. 26, 1989.

Mansfield’s Alicia Espigh was the leading scorer in the game as she recorded 22 points, including 18 off of three pointers. Uhrich had 17 points to go along with her 24 rebounds. Ayers and Tagliaferri also hit double figures for the Mountaineers, recording 14 points each.

The  Lock Haven Offense was led by Shameka Lee, who had 17 points, Elizabeth Gabrielle, 15 points, and Candice Sillers, 14 points. Lopez and Williams both had ten points each.

Next up for Mansfield is a Jan. 11 match at the University of the District of Columbia.

Newspaper Box Score

Lock Haven University vs Mansfield University

1/08/06 1:00 at Decker Gymnasium

Lock Haven University.........   38   43  -   81

Mansfield University..........        42   27  -   69

LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY (10-2)

LEE, Shameka L. 8-15 1-1 17; GABRIELLE, Elizabeth 4-10 4-4 15; SILLERS, Candace 5-13 2-2 14; LOPEZ, Ilia Y. 4-7 1-3 10; SHADDUCK, Kristy 3-6 4-4 10; WILLIAMS, Ginger 4-8 1-3 9; KELSHAW, Lauren 2-2 0-0 5; DERZACK, Connie 0-2 1-2 1; MONTAGUE, Caniece 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 30-64 14-19 81.

MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY (5-7)

ESPIGH, Alicia 8-14 0-0 22; UHRICH, Jessica 7-16 3-3 17; AYERS, Becky 5-12 4-4 14; TAGLIAFERRI, Alison 6-19 2-6 14; BROOKS, Courtney 1-3 0-0 2; TAYLOR, Tiffany 0-3 0-0 0; REED, Brittany 0-1 0-0 0; ROSS, Christine 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-69 9-13 69.

3-point goals-Lock Haven University 7-12 (GABRIELLE, Elizabeth 3-4; SILLERS,

Candace 2-5; KELSHAW, Lauren 1-1; LOPEZ, Ilia Y. 1-1; LEE, Shameka L. 0-1),

Mansfield University 6-15 (ESPIGH, Alicia 6-7; UHRICH, Jessica 0-3; AYERS,

Becky 0-4; TAYLOR, Tiffany 0-1). Fouled out--Lock Haven University-None,

Mansfield University-TAGLIAFERRI, Alison. Rebounds-Lock Haven University 36

(WILLIAMS, Ginger 11), Mansfield University 44 (UHRICH, Jessica 24).

Assists-Lock Haven University 19 (GABRIELLE, Elizabeth 8), Mansfield

University 18 (UHRICH, Jessica 6). Total fouls-Lock Haven University 14,

Mansfield University 15.

Attendance: 167