November 20, 2004
WAC Wins Opener Over Centenary
Duckworth & Turner Combine for 46 Points

MADISON, NJ – Sophomore forward Lauren Duckworth (Newtown, PA/Archbishop Wood) scored a career-high 23 points and sophomore guard LaToya Turner (Chestertown, MD/Kent County) added a career-best 21 points to lead the Washington College women's basketball team to a 72-68 victory over Centenary (NJ) College in the first round of the Drew University Rose City Classic. The victory gives the Shorewomen a win in their season opener for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

The Shorewomen (1-0) took a 35-25 lead into halftime after leading by as many as 13 points in the first half. Washington never trailed in the game, but a three-pointer by Solaris Ortiz with five seconds remaining in the second half got the Cyclones (0-1) to within three, at 71-68. Freshman guard Irene Pastorino (Swarthmore, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) made one-of-two free throws for the Shorewomen with four seconds to play to lock up the victory.

Duckworth's 23 points came on six-of-13 shooting from the field and 11-of-13 shooting at the free-throw line. She also pulled down a team-best 10 rebounds, matching her career high. Turner was seven-of-13 from the field and seven-of-nine at the line en route to her 21 points. Pastorino and senior guard Jeremy Cook (Pattenburg, NJ/North Hunterdon) each added nine points, while freshman forward Brenda Lucas (New London, PA/Avon Grove) collected seven boards.

Ortiz put up game highs in points and rebounds for the Cyclones, finishing with 27 and 16, respectively. Ortiz was nine-of-17 from the field and eight-of-10 from the charity stripe. Ashley Mascuch added 11 points for Centenary, while Kate Lynn Figueroa chipped in 10.

The Shorewomen will take on host Drew University in tomorrow's championship game at 3:00 p.m., while Centenary will play Wesley in the consolation game at 1:00 p.m. Drew defeated Wesley in tonight's other first round game, 66-47.

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