Roser’s Triple-Double Leads Express Past Cazenovia, 69-57

Roser’s Triple-Double Leads Express Past Cazenovia, 69-57

CAZENOVIA, N.Y. – Junior Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) tallied only the 12th triple-double of the year across all NCAA Division III programs as the Wells College women's basketball team posted a 69-57 victory over the Wildcats of Cazenovia College Wednesday evening at the Schneeweis Athletic Complex. With the victory, the Express even their overall record at 10-10 while improving their North Eastern Athletic Conference record to 9-3, the third best mark amongst all teams in the conference. The Wildcats fall to 4-15 overall on the year and to 4-7 amongst league opponents.

Roser, who entered this evening's game with 53 career double-doubles in 63 career games, recorded her first career triple-double after posting 20 rebounds, 15 total points and 10 blocks. Her 10 blocks are also a program record while her team's total of 12 is also a record. Freshman Holli Erkson (Cooperstown, N.Y.), who set a program record herself with 10 cumulative three-point attempts, led the team with 17 points in the victory while junior Kristen Ryan (Syracuse, N.Y.) posted 14 points off of the bench, burying 7-of-8 shots from the floor.

Cazenovia came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, increasing their first half lead to seven points following a Megan McDermott jump shot with 15:45 remaining in the first, creating an 11-4 lead for the Wildcats. Erkson utilized a three-pointer and two free throws to cut the deficit to two with 13:29 remaining in the stanza.

The Express used two three-point baskets to both tie the game and take the lead near the midway point of the half. A Cassie Smythe (Eden, N.Y.) three with 10:13 remaining tied the score at 16 apiece while Erkson's second three-pointer of the half placed Wells ahead by three, 19-16, with 8:23 left in the half.

Despite allowing Cazenovia to take the lead with 2:14 remaining in the half via a McDermott free throw, the Express built up a three point halftime lead and carried a 36-33 score into the next half. In total, Cazenovia outscored the Express by a 6-2 margin in the paint while Wells scored nine of their 36 points off of turnovers by the Wildcats.

To begin the second half, the Express allowed Cazenovia to climb back into the game and eventually take a five point lead with 12:46 remaining in regulation following a Jennifer DiSanto free throw. With the score tied at 58 at the half's 10 minute mark, Alyssa Connor buried a jumper to take a 50-48 lead.

After Ryan tied the score with 9:08 remaining, the Express did not relinquish the lead following a Roser free throw with 7:48 remaining in the contest. After the free throw, the Express outscored their opponent by a 13-to-2 margin to eventually build a game-high 15 point lead with 1:19 remaining.

Rachael McDonough led the way for Cazenovia with 16 total points, hammering home 7-of-17 from the field for the Wildcats. McDermott concluded her day with 15 rebounds of her own, tying McDonough for the team lead in that category. Kimberly Vrigian posted nine points off of the bench for Cazenovia.

The Express return to action on Saturday, Feb. 2 as they host the College of Saint Elizabeth in a 2:00 p.m. contest at the Frances Tarlton Farenthold Athletic Wing. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).