Despite an outstanding game from Courtney Cunningham, Drew fell to the Albright Lions, 67-54, in Baldwin Gym in Madison. Cunningham scored 23 points and Melissa Kraft added 14 points and nine rebounds, but the Rangers could not hold off a hot shooting Albright squad that recorded its fifth straight win. Drew’s record evens at 5-5 on the season while the Lions improve to 6-4.
The Lions jumped out to a 38-24 halftime lead thanks to Jacquiline Hardwick, who scored 15 of her 20 points in the first period, and Staci Waligorski, who dropped in 12 of her 14. Drew quickly cut the lead to six with 18 minutes remaining in the second half, but was unable to draw any closer as the Lions shot 48% from the field for the game. The Rangers did show a quick and effective press that helped result in 17 Albright turnovers and 12 Drew steals. Unfortunately for Drew, it struggled from the field hitting on only 37% of its attempts.
Cunningham led the way for the home team with 23 points on 10-18 shooting, adding three boards and three steals. Kraft pulled down a game-high nine rebounds while Maggie Marquis recorded four steals.
The Rangers get back into action on Saturday at Union (N.Y.).
Albright Lions vs Drew University Rangers 01/03/06 7:00 at Baldwin Gym At Baldwin Gym ALBRIGHT LIONS 67, DREW UNIVERSITY RANGERS 54 ALBRIGHT LIONS (6-4 (0-2 Common)) Jacquiline Hardwick 9-14 0-0 20; Staci Waligorski 7-8 0-3 14; Marie Levins 5-12 0-0 12; Natalie Bizzarro 4-8 0-0 8; Ashley Howard 1-5 2-2 5; Annie McMahon 2-7 0-0 4; Meredith Berger 1-4 0-0 2; Jennifer DuPrau 1-3 0-0 2; Megan Romano 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 30-62 2-5 67. DREW UNIVERSITY RANGERS (5-5 (1-1 Freed)) Courtney Cunningham 10-18 1-2 23; Melissa Kraft 4-11 3-4 14; Maggie Marquis 1-6 4-6 7; Pam Kakalec 3-9 0-0 6; Laura Methvin 2-4 0-0 4; Ann Mularz 0-3 0-0 0; Genie Valantassis 0-2 0-0 0; Kaitlyn Campi 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-54 8-12 54. Albright Lions................ 38 29 - 67 Drew University Rangers....... 24 30 - 54 3-point goals-Albright Lions 5-10 (Marie Levins 2-4; Jacquiline Hardwick 2-2; Ashley Howard 1-2; Annie McMahon 0-2), Drew University Rangers 6-16 (Melissa Kraft 3-6; Courtney Cunningham 2-6; Maggie Marquis 1-2; Ann Mularz 0-1; Genie Valantassis 0-1). Fouled out--Albright Lions-None, Drew University Rangers-Genie Valantassis. Rebounds-Albright Lions 43 (Jacquiline Hardwick 6), Drew University Rangers 26 (Melissa Kraft 9). Assists-Albright Lions 3 (Jennifer DuPrau 1; Megan Romano 1; Marie Levins 1), Drew University Rangers 8 (Melissa Kraft 4). Total fouls-Albright Lions 13, Drew University Rangers 13.