Swarthmore, Pa. (11/17/13) – Senior Simone Smith had a team-high 18 points but the Kean University women's basketball team fell short by the final of 74-63 on Sunday afternoon in the consolation game of the Swarthmore Tip-Off Tournament.
For her efforts, Smith (pictured left) was selected to the All-Tournament team after picking up team-high points in both contests this weekend.
For the Cavaliers, senior Brittany Sandone led all scorers with a career-high 27 points, including 12-13 from the free throw line. She, too, was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts. Junior Amber Keys added 17 points and six boards in the win for Cabrini (1-1).
The Cavaliers deep shooting sent Cabrini on an 11-0 run that culminated with a trey from junior Megan Decker, extending the lead to 16-6 at the 14:27 mark.
Kean (0-2) continued to chip away, cutting the lead to 17-16 midway through the half as freshman Jaquetta Owens hit a layup. Kean regained the lead with 5:28 on the clock on a Smith layup, taking a slim 24-23 advantage. The lead lasted just one possession, however, as senor Annie Rivituso's lay-up returned the lead to Cabrini. The Cavaliers extended their lead back to 10 points in the final seconds of the half on a three pointer by sophomore Dana Peterson, but a Kean lay-up from junior AnnaRose Pierre cut the lead to 36-28 at the break.
Sophomore Kristina Startare's jumper extended Cabrini's lead to 11 points with just over 15 minutes to play, but the Cavaliers couldn't pull away. The Cougars again chipped away and took their final lead of the day with 8:17 remaining in the matchup on another layup from Smith. Cabrini then used 11 made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
For the Cougars, sophomore Jazmine Davis added 16 points and six boards.
Kean returns to action for their home opener against Baptist Bible College on Thursday, November 21st.
