Rance Propels Devils to their First Win of the Season

Shelby Rance recorded the first double-double of her career netting 26 points and 11 rebounds as the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia won their home opener and their first game of the season 72-56.

Rance (Jr., Central Columbia HS/Bloomsburg, PA) scored 15 of her 26 points in the first half, connecting on seven of 11 shots from the field leading the Devils as they overcame a 7-0 deficit to start the game to leas by 12, 40-28 at the break. Rance finished the game shooting 11-for-17 from the field with one three-pointer and 3-for-5 from the free throw line.

Joining Rance in double figures were Leah Shumoski (Sr., Marple-Newtown HS/Broomall, PA) and Allison Weiss (Fr., Springfield HS/Springfield, PA). Shumoski shot 7-for-16 from the field and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line, tallying 18 points. Leah also pulled down eight rebounds had four steals, three blocks and a pair of assists. Weiss was 5-for-7 from the field with a free throw for 11 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Rashanna Edwards (Jr., West Windsor-Plainsboro HS/Plainsboro, NJ) had eight assists and five steals to lead the Devils in those departments. Edwards also scored six points and had six rebounds.

West Chester was led by Dominique Lewis' 17 points. Elise McCloy and Justine Pfaff added 12 and 11 points respectively. Pfaff also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Devils connected on 56.3% of their shots in the first half (18-32) while the Golden Rams, a pre-season pick to win the PSAC East Division, shot just 32.3% (10-31). USP finished the game shooting 29-for-57 (50.9%) to West Chester's 21-for-62 (32.3%). The Devils held the edge on the boards 43-33 and tallied 17 assists to the Golden Rams' six.

The Devils spotted the Golden Rams the first seven points of the game before going on a 12-4 run to take a 12-11 lead at the 13:21 mark. Weiss and Rance had two baskets each while Shumoski and Autumn Tully (Fr., Union-Endicott HS/Endicott, NY) tallied the other two scores. USP built their lead to five, 23-18 before West Chester rallied to tie the game again at 23-all with 7:11 left.

USP scored the next 12 points to pull ahead 35-23 at the 4:00 minute mark and kept that margin going into the lockerroom at the half, 40-28.

The Devils opened the second stanza with a 12-4 run, increasing their lead to 20, 52-32 at the 14:44 mark and took their biggest lead 61-37 just 3:38 later. West Chester rallied, going on an 11-2 run to shave nine points off the lead, making the score 63-48 at the 5:19 mark. Shumoski's three-point play put the Devils back up by 18, 66-48. The Golden Rams could get no closer than 16 over the remaining five minutes as the Devils built their lead back up to 20, 72-52 with 2 minutes left before the Rams made a pair of baskets to make the final score, 72-56.

The Devils are off until December 1, 2005 when they travel up the road to take on Philadelphia University to open their conference season.