Press Release

DECEMBER 11, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CHRISTINE FRANCIES, ASST. SID
260-481-0729

Mastodons Fight to the End

Fort Wayne, IN - The Mastodons may have fallen to the Panthers of Northern Iowa, but it wasn't without a hard fight to the end. IPFW fell by 10, 62-52, but were close throughout half of the first and fought back at the end to cut the 23 point lead down to ten.

Three Mastodons hit double figures, but it wasn't enough to stop the offense of UNI. The Mastodons had the Panthers cornered to just a five point lead with just under five minutes to go in the first when the Panthers woke up and set the offense up. Northern Iowa finished the first half with a 21 point lead which was gained on a 7-18 run in the last five minutes.

In the second, the Panthers picked up right where they left off, but the Dons weren't going down without a fight. With just over five minutes to go, IPFW cut the 21 point lead of UNI down to ten with a 11-0 run at the end.

Ashley Johnson led the Dons with 13 points. She was only 3-16 from the field but made up for it at the charity stripe with a perfect 7-7. Johnson also put up five boards, three assists and four steals.

Johnna Lewis-Carlisle knocked down three from beyond the arc and two freebies to gain her 11 points. She also had four boards, all defensive. Lewis-Carlisle also stole the ball twice and put up an assist.

Hilary O'Connell rounded out the Dons in double figures with 10 points. She was hit 2-3 from beyond the arc and 1-2 from the paint. O'Connell was also perfect from the charity stripe going 2-2. O'Connell stole the ball twice.

Starla Williams put up defense for the Dons with eight boards, a block and a steal. She also knocked back six points and two assists for the afternoon.

For the Panthers, four ladies hit double figures. Kelly Lund hit for 17 points and was an overall 5-6 from the floor and 4-4 from the charity stripe.

Cassie Hager hit for 12 while Sarah Larsen had 11 points. Tara King rounded out the Panthers in double figures with 12 boards, 11 of which were defensive.

The Mastodons will have the week off for finals and return to action on Saturday (12/17) when they travel to Xavier for a 2 pm start time.

Purdue v. Valparaiso

The Valparaiso Crusaders gave the Boilermakers quite a scare at the Coliseum for the nightcap of Hoopla. Valpo went into halftime with an eight point lead over the nationally ranked Boilermakers.

Purdue fought back and in the second more than doubled Valpo's points to finish 70-55.

Purdue had two in double figures, Katie Gearlds with 28 and Aya Traore with 23. Overall Purdue was 47.3% from the field, 56.3% from three point land and 81.8% at the charity stripe. They combined for a total 29 rebounds and 16 assists along with three blocks and eight steals for the afternoon.

Valparaiso put four ladies in double figures. Betsy Rietema led the way with 13 points, Carrie Myers had 12, and Lauren Bechtold and Tamra Braun each put up 11. Defensively, Rietema and Braun each had six boards. The Crusaders with 50% from the field and 53.8% from the charity stripe. They had 15 assists and 22 rebounds as well as three blocks and six steals.

~Dons~