Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Matt Palisin,
Sports Information Dept.

DATE: Wed., March 1, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Basketball

Devils advance with ECAC win

UTICA, N.Y. -- The No. 5 seed Fredonia State women's basketball team won a first-round ECAC Upstate New York Tournament game, upsetting host and No. 4 seed Utica College, 57-53. In the process, the Devils set a school record for wins, improving to 17-9.

The loss ends the season for the Pioneers (18-9).

The Blue Devils, who never trailed, led by as many as 12 points in the first half. They posted a 36-24 lead at the break after shooting 62 percent (16 for 26) from the floor in the opening frame.

Utica's Corrina Rustmann would nail a jumper with 30 seconds left in the game to pull the Pioneers to within three points, 56-53, but that is as close as they would get.

Three Devils scored in double-figures, led by sophomore Cheryl Kindzia (Williamsville/Williamsville North) with 17 points. Junior Lisa Gentile (Utica/Whitesboro) had 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while sophomore Danielle Bleecker (Pittsford/Pittsford-Mendon) had 10 points.

Utica was topped by Ava Thomas and Whitney Frament with 12 points apiece. Mallory Davis had 11 off the bench.

The Devils' 17 wins eclipsed the standard set by the 1991-1992 team, coached by Cathy Flanders, that posted a 16-13 record.

Fredonia State next plays Friday at Oneonta in a quarterfinal game. Oneonta beat Keuka 55-47 on Wednesday evening. The Blue Devils won both regular season matchups against the Red Dragons.

Athletics Home | Fredonia Home