November 16, 2001
Shorewomen Drop Opener in OT
Turnovers Hurt in Loss to Marietta

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- Despite shooting 47% from the floor, 47% from the three-point line and outrebounding visiting Marietta College, the Washington College Shorewomen lost their season opener, 90-85, in overtime, this evening in the first round of the Sho'Time Shootout. The Shorewomen (0-1) were hurt by 36 turnovers, while the Pioneers committed just 19.

The Shorewomen built a ten-point lead in the first half, going ahead 30-20 with 2:55 to play. Marietta outscored WC the rest of the period, 15-2, however to take 35-32 lead into the lockerroom. As the second half began, the Pioneers continued their strong play, leading by nine, 51-42, with 14:33 to play. WC freshman forward Liz Smith (Hagerstown, MD/Boonsboro), sophomore guard Yianna Patronas (Bethesda, MD/Walt Whitman), and freshman guard Jeremy Cook (Pattenburg, NJ/North Hunterdon) combined to outscore Marietta 16-3 over the next 3:35, however, to take a 58-54 lead with 10:58 to play.

The Washington lead stretched to as many as 13 with 5:34 to play before the Pioneers came storming back. A pair of three-pointers by sophomore guard Alisha Yoder (Berlin, OH/Hiland), the Pioneers' only two three-pointers of the game, tied the score at 74-74 with 40 seconds left in regulation. Washington took a two-point lead on a pair of free throws by sophomore forward Meghan Hartzell (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) on the next possession, but Pioneer freshman forward Beth Bakos (Clayton, OH/Northmont) hit a short jumper to tie the game with four seconds left, sending the contest into overtime.

Marietta grabbed a quick six-point lead, 82-76, just 1:18 into the overtime period and WC could never get closer than three points the rest of the way. A pair of made free throws by Yoder with two seconds sealed the game and provided the final score.

Marietta senior forward Amber Oliver (Point Pleasant, WV/Point Pleasant) led all scorers with 20 points on 10-for-12 shooting and collected a team-high seven rebounds before fouling out in the second half. Bakos scored 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while Yoder finished with 18 points and six assists.

Smith led WC with 18 points and added nine boards. Sophomore guard Katie Piringer (Potomac, MD/Stone Ridge) tossed in 16 points, while sophomore guard Karen Simos (North Potomac, WD/Wooton) scored 15 and handed out a game-high seven assists. Patronas contributed 13 points to the Shorewoman cause, while Hartzell hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds.

In the evening's opening contest, Virginia Wesleyan held off a late rally by Shenandoah to hold on for a 73-63 win. Down by as many as 20 points during the game, Shenandoah cut the lead to six with 26 seconds left, but Virginia Wesleyan sealed the game at the free-throw line. VWC junior guard Angelique Cavanaugh (Charlottesville, VA/Charlottesville) scored a game-high 20 points for the Blue Marlins.

Washington and Shenandoah will play at 1:00 p.m. in the consolation game tomorrow, which will be followed by the title game at 3:00 featuring Virginia Wesleyan and Marietta.

WC-Marietta Box Score

Shen-VWC Box Score