Roser Sets NEAC Career Scoring Record In 77-49 Win

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Senior Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) set the North Eastern Athletic Conference career scoring record as the Wells College women's basketball team posted a 77-49 victory over the Phoenix of Wilson College on Saturday. As a team, the Express also set a program record with their fifth-straight victory, improving to 13-7 overall and to 8-3 within league play. Wilson (2-12, 1-9 NEAC) drops their 12th game of the season.

Roser, who scored 17 points against Wilson, has now scored more career points than any player in league history. She eclipses the previous career scoring record set by Colleen Clarke of Cazenovia College. Clarke, a four-year member of the Wildcats, scored 1,910 points in 104 career games from 2006 to 2010. Roser now boasts 1,920 career points across 91 career games with the Express.

Falling one rebound short of a double-double versus the Phoenix, Roser currently boasts 76 career double-doubles and ranks fourth all-time in NCAA Division III history in that category. The current active national leader for double-doubles in her division, Roser also has 57 double-doubles in her career against NEAC opponents.

A four-year captain who made her Wells debut in 2010 during the first year of modern era basketball in Aurora, Roser was selected as the 2012-13 NEAC Player of the Year following a stellar junior campaign where she led the nation in rebounds per game (16.7). She remains one of only two players (Juan Paulino, men's basketball) to have earned a national statistical championship.

Entering this week's slate of games, Roser stands as the active NCAA Division III leader in points scored, scoring average, rebounding, field goals made, and free throw attempts. She ranks second in free throws made and field goal attempts in addition to a third place ranking in rebounding average.

Roser's 17 points and nine rebounds led the team in both categories. Freshman Taylor Spranger (Schenevus, N.Y.) ranked second on the team in scoring, pouring home nine points and six rebounds in the winning effort. Junior Cassie Smythe (Eden, N.Y.) set a career-high mark with six steals in the game, leading the team. Sophomore Holli Erkson (Cooperstown, N.Y.) also had a strong game, posting eight points and seven rebounds alongside a team-best three assists. In total, 13 different players saw action in the game for the Express.

Wilson possessed a four point lead with 8:26 left in the first half, using four-straight points by Vanessa Whitfield for their game-high lead. With the game tied at 23 aside with 5:24 remaining in the tilt, however, Wells utilized a jump shot by senior Kristen Ryan (Syracuse, N.Y.) and a three-point basket by Smythe to take a five point lead (28-23) with 4:01 remaining in the half.

The Express were able to keep the host Phoenix at bay throughout the remainder of the first half, outscoring their opponent by a 24-to-3 margin in the first half's final 5:24. In the second half alone, Wells outscored Wilson by a 30-to-23 spread and eventually built up a game-high lead of 77-43 (34 points ) after a jumper by Spranger with 4:09 remaining in regulation time.

Wilson was led by Whitfield's 28 total points, six blocks, four steals and three assists. Morgan Wonders added a team-best 12 rebounds for the Phoenix while Teniera Prioleau scored nine points and added eight rebounds for Wilson. Cumulatively, the Express posted 29 points off of Wilson turnovers and the Express bench outscored the host Phoenix by a 33-to-0 margin.

Wells returns to action this Friday, Feb. 14 as they face-off against the Nittany Lions of Penn St.-Berks in an 8:00 p.m. road contest.