Basketball Spotlight: Strong Shooting Effort Helps Devils down Wilmington Wednesday, February 2, 2005 By Bob Heller USIP Sports Information Director The University of the Sciences Women’s Basketball Team connected on 18 of 32 shots in the second half as they turned a nine-point halftime lead into a 75-54 win over Wilmington College earlier tonight, sweeping the season series from the Wildcats. For the first time in nine games, the Devils finished the game shooting over 50% from the field, connecting on 35 of 66 shots for the game (53%). USP, however shot just 50% from the free throw line (5-10) and failed to make a three-point field goal (0-4). Wilmington made just 21 of 55 shots (38.2%) from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line. The Wildcats also were 4-12 from beyond the three point arc, going 0-for-5 in the second half after connecting of 4 of 7 in the opening period. Shelby Rance (So., Central Columbia HS/ Bloomsburg, PA) and Leah Shumoski (Jr., Marple-Newtown HS/Broomall, PA) paced the Devils with 23 points apiece. Rance shot 10-for-21 from the field and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Shelby also had a game high nine rebounds, dished out three assists and had three steals. Shumoski made 11 of 17 shots from the field along with a free throw to account for her 23 points. Leah also had five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals. Joining Shumoski and Rance is double figures was Jan Kalafut (Jr, Bishop Hoban HS/Wilkes Barre, PA). Starting only for the second time this season, Kalafut responded with 10 points (six in the second half) on 5-for-8 shooting. In addition, Kalafut also pulled down five rebounds. Starters Lori Wernik (So., Lower Cape May Regional HS/Cape May, NJ) and Rashanna Edwards (So., West Windsor-Plainsboro HS/ Plainsboro, NJ) along with Lauren Kressaty (Fr., Wayne Valley HS/Wayne, NJ) coming off the bench also produced solid efforts for the Devils, winners of three straight. Wernik had six points, six assists and seven rebounds while Edwards had one of her best games this season, dishing out eight assists while turning the ball over only once to go along with her five points. Kressaty gave the Devils 12 good minutes off the bench, connecting on three of four shots from the field, tying her career high of six points, as well as recording three assists and two steals. USP set the tone for the night right from the opening tap as Shumoski decisively blocked the Wildcats first shot of the game just 17 seconds after the opening tap and later scored the first four points of the game, giving the Devils a lead they would never relinquish. The Wildcats did not go away quietly as the game progressed, staying within three to seven points of the Devils for most of the period. USP extended their lead lead to 10, 29-19 with 4:24 to go in the period and took a nine-point lead, 35-26 into the locker room at the break. The Wildcats scored the first two baskets of the second half to pull within five, 35-30. USP then went on a 10-5 run to build their lead back up to double digits, 45-35 with 15:35 left. After Wilmington cut the lead to seven, 45-38 at the 14:31 mark, the Devils went on a 10-2 run to take a 15 point lead, 55-40 midway through the period. Shumoski and Kalafut each had four points during the run and Rance added a bucket to complete the scoring outburst. USP still led by 14 with 4:46 left when the put the game away, going on a 9-2 run to close out the game. Edwards started things off with a layup at the 4:24 mark followed by a Kressaty jumper at the 3:07 mark making the score 70-52. Rance added a layup and a free throw to complete a three-point play and Kressaty added a basket at the 1:40 mark to round out the scoring for USP. Kelly Sammons hit a jumper for the Wildcats with 38 seconds left to make the final score 75-54. Andrea Jones led Wilmington with 20 points while Katelin Klingert added 11 and Michelle Whalen chipped in nine. USP improves to 14-5 overall with the win and 12-2 in CACC games this season. Next up for the Devils will be a home game against Bloomfield College, a team that handed the Devils their first conference road loss in 14 games going back to the start of last season, on Thursday, February 3, 2005.