Cougars Advance to Classic Championship

UNION, N.J.- (11/18/06) Sophomore guard Melissa Beyruti (Ocean City, N.J.) tied her career high with 26 points, as the Kean University women's basketball team defeated Lehman College, 74-51, in the season opener in the Kean Cougar Classic on Saturday afternoon.

The Cougars (1-0) led by as many as 22 points in the first half, as freshman guard Alysha Taylor (Galloway, N.J.) hit a layup with 46 seconds left in the half to give Kean a 42-20 lead. For Lehman (0-1), junior guard Tiara Carroll (Bronx, N.Y.) had four points and three steals, and hit 1-of-2 free throws with 27 seconds left as the Cougars held a 42-21 lead at halftime.

In the opening half, Beyruti scored 13 of her points, while junior forward Kim Smith (Burlington, N.J.) added seven points and three assists and sophomore guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) had six points, five assists and three steals. Lehman was led by sophomore forward Sally Nnamani (Warwick, N.Y.)

The Cougars then paced the second half, keeping a double-digit lead at all times. The Lightning only got as close as 10 points, a 7-0 run over a three minute span in the middle of the second half. Sophomore Anna Cannon (Beacon, N.Y.) led the surge with five points in the span. Kean would end the final 10 minutes on a 26-13 run to seal their first win of the season.

Beyruti hit five three pointers and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals for Kean while freshman Jan Bush (Willow Grove, Pa.) added a team-high 11 rebounds in her debut. Sophomore Sally Nnamani (Warwick, N.Y.) had a team-high 19 points and added eight rebounds and four blocks for the Lightning while Carroll finished with ten points and nine rebounds.

In game two action, Gwynedd-Mercy College edged Albright College in the final 10 seconds, 61-59, to advance to the championship round on Sunday, November 19th at 3:00 p.m.

With the game tied at 59 and 20 seconds left to play, Albright College (0-1) turned the ball over and the Griffins (1-0) took advantage scoring five seconds later on a layup by Kristy Cramp (Pennington, N.J.). The Lions turned over their next possession and were unable to capitalize in the final seconds.

Cramp finished with a game-high 20 points, to go along with three steals and four assists. Teammate Ashley Vandiver (Philadelphia, Pa.) added 13 points and five rebounds in the win.

Albright junior Staci Waligorski (Oaklyn, N.J.) led with a double-double 18 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Albright will take on Lehman College in the consolation game beginning at 1:00 p.m.