Porter matched her career high with 25 points and grabbed a dozen rebounds. Marriott scored 20 points, had 12 rebounds, and four assists. Rochester improved to 23-3. The Yellowjackets will play Kean (NJ) University in Saturday’s game. Kean defeated Marymount University, 74-60, in the first game of the evening. The Rochester-Kean winner will advance to the Sweet 16 on March 13-14 at a site to be announced.
Barbara Fleming led Widener (18-10) with 17 points. Beth Dessart Mager had eight points for the Pride . Casey Pritz and Alex Held scored seven points apiece.
Widener took advantage of an ice-cold start from the floor by Rochester (the Yellowjackets hit just two of their first 16 field goal attempts) and led, 11-5 nine minutes into the game. Porter scored 12 points in a four minute run as Rochester edged ahead, 22-18, with 5:17 to go. Rochester led, 27-22, at the half.
The Yellowjackets stretched their lead to 12, 34-22, with a 7-0 run to open the second half. Marriott scored six of the seven points. Widener gnawed at the lead. The Pride got within four five different times, only to see Rochester answer. With the Yellowjackets ahead, 53-47, Lindsay Pepino hit a jumper and Dessart Mager sank a three-pointer to pull the Pride within 53-52 at the 4:10 mark.
Porter made one free throw, then assisted on a jumper by Jessica Mastronardi to restore a four-point margin. The Yellowjackets hit nine free throws in the final 3:20 to secure the win.
Newspaper Box Score Widener University vs Univ. of Rochester 03/06/09 8 pm at Palestra, Rochester, NY NCAA 1st Rd. At Palestra, Rochester, NY NCAA 1st Rd. UNIV. OF ROCHESTER 67, WIDENER UNIVERSITY 56 WIDENER UNIVERSITY (18-10) Barbara Fleming 6-12 4-4 17; Beth Dessart Mager 2-11 2-4 8; Alex Held 3-4 0-0 7; Casey Pritz 3-5 1-2 7; Becky Tyler 3-4 0-0 6; Lindsey Isler 1-6 2-2 5; Laura Carson 1-1 0-0 2; Katie Gallagher 1-2 0-0 2; Lindsay Pepino 1-1 0-0 2; Danielle Wetling 0-0 0-0 0; Rayne Reber 0-6 0-0 0; Tina Burg 0-0 0-0 0; Jesica Abraguin 0-0 0-0 0; Kylie Walton 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-52 9-12 56. UNIV. OF ROCHESTER (23-3) Porter, Alex 8-12 9-15 25; Marriott, Julie 8-15 4-7 20; Mastronardi, Jessica 3-6 1-1 8; Alwardt, Melissa 1-6 4-4 7; Waddell, Jessica 1-3 1-2 3; McNelis, Johanna 0-5 3-4 3; Stern, Rachel 0-1 1-2 1; Luther, Jodie 0-4 0-0 0; Korber, Madeline 0-0 0-0 0; Testani, Alicia 0-2 0-0 0; Fisher, Marlena 0-2 0-2 0. Totals 21-56 23-37 67. Widener University............ 22 34 - 56 Univ. of Rochester............ 27 40 - 67 3-point goals--Widener University 5-17 (Beth Dessart Mager 2-4; Barbara Fleming 1-3; Lindsey Isler 1-4; Alex Held 1-1; Katie Gallagher 0-1; Rayne Reber 0-4), Univ. of Rochester 2-11 (Alwardt, Melissa 1-6; Mastronardi, Jessica 1-1; McNelis, Johanna 0-2; Testani, Alicia 0-2). Fouled out--Widener University-Beth Dessart Mager; Becky Tyler, Univ. of Rochester-None. Rebounds--Widener University 28 (Beth Dessart Mager 5; Barbara Fleming 5), Univ. of Rochester 45 (Marriott, Julie 12; Porter, Alex 12). Assists--Widener University 11 (Barbara Fleming 3), Univ. of Rochester 16 (Alwardt, Melissa 5). Total fouls--Widener University 29, Univ. of Rochester 14. Technical fouls--Widener University-None, Univ. of Rochester-None. A-475 Rochester advances to play Kean on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the second round.