Top-Ranked Kean Defeats #6
Messiah, 59-50
UNION, N.J. (12/10/08) - In the first test as
the top-ranked team in the nation, the Kean University women's
basketball team defeated #6/7 Messiah College, 59-50, behind a
game-high 21 points from junior guard Cardiss Jackman
(Tobyhanna, Pa.) in non-conference action on Wednesday
evening.
Senior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) added
13 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Cougars (7-0),
while senior forward Silalei Shani (Dakar, Senegal) had a
double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds for Messiah (5-1).
The Cougars led by as many as seven points in the first half,
taking a 17-10 lead on a lay-up by sophomore Tiffany
Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) with 8:44 remaining in the
half. The Falcons used a 9-2 run to tie the game at 19-19
less than four minutes later and scored the final six points of the
half to take a 25-22 lead into halftime.
Jackman (pictured right) scored 12 points in the opening half,
while Shani had eight points and seven rebounds to pace the
Falcons.
Kean opened the second half with a 17-2 run to build a
double-digit lead at 39-27 less than six minutes into the half and
eventually led by 13 points at 42-29, as senior guard
Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) scored all
eight of her points in the first seven minutes of the half,
including a three-pointer that put the Cougars up for good just 46
seconds into the half.
The Falcons chipped away at the deficit and eventually pulled to
within three points at 52-49 with 2:59 remaining in the game on a
jumper by senior guard Katie Kalb (Holmdel, N.J.). A
free throw by Patrick extended the Cougar lead to four points with
99 seconds remaining and the Cougars made lay-ups on their final
three possessions to seal the nine-point victory.
Both teams struggled getting the ball in the basket, as the
Cougars shot just 32.9 percent (23-of-70) from the floor and
Messiah hit only 32.2 percent (19-of-59) of their shots. Off
the glass, Kean outrebounded the Falcons, 48-42, and grabbed 19
offensive boards to lead to 13 second-chance points.
Jackman added five rebounds, while Beyruti finished with eight
points and three steals. Junior Danielle Brown (North
Brunswick, N.J.) grabbed 12 rebounds and Patrick (pictured
left) came off the bench to score five points and grab nine boards.
For the Falcons, Kalb added nine points and sophomore forward
Michele Schleich (Hanover, Pa.) chipped in with eight
points and 10 rebounds.
The Cougars face their second straight nationally ranked team
when they travel to #15/14 University of Mary Washington on
Saturday, December 13, at 1 p.m.
