Feb. 21, 2008

Box Score

Babson Park, Fl - Francesca Dernocelley's performance in the paint proved to be too much for the Florida Memorial Lions leading to 57-50, St. Thomas win. Dernocelley scored 20 points and collected 11 rebounds for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats (16-9) were the first to find their offensive rhythm started by a three point play by Tina Diaz. She finished a lay-up through a foul and made the following free-throw.

A few plays later at the 5:13 mark Cindy Castrillon and Carissa Staiano would drill consecutive three-pointers. The twin three's, which touched nothing but net, gave the Bobcats a 23-10 lead. As the ball fell through the net from Staiano's three-pointer the Lions called a 20 second timeout.

After the timeout the Lions (15-9) began using a half court trap which forced two consecutive turnovers by Castrillon and stalled the Bobcats' offense at 23 for the remaining five minutes.

Kiesha Alexander provided the offense for the Lions during this stretch scoring six straight points. Alexander did her damage in three consecutive possessions, catching the ball at the high-post (free-throw line area) facing the rim and attacking basket.

Alexander's success would end after she scored her sixth point when Brittany Owens substituted into the game to defender her. Owes forced Alexander into a travel and a blocked shot by rotating Haleema Linares.

The Lions Victoria Johnson ended the half with a lay-up to make the score 23-18. She finished the game with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. Neither team shot well in the first half, the Bobcats shot 27 percent from the field while the Lions shot 28 percent from the field.

The Lions began the second half a bit more accurate, and made a pair of three-pointers to bring them within three points of the Bobcats. One three was made by Alexander who finished with 15 points for the Lions.

Though the Bobcats were not as accurate as the Lions in to start the half they put effort into rebounding. In the second half the Bobcats out rebounded the Lions 20-13.

Staiano made seven of eight free-throws down the stretch to give her a total of 10 points and create the difference in the game. Both Dernocelly and Linares had eleven rebounds and Castrillon was the Bobcats' second leading scorer with 12 points. The Bobcats play again February 22, against Northwood at 5 PM.