COUGARS
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

COUGARS DROP CACC CONTEST TO USP, 78-63

2-22-05

box score
CALDWELL, N.J. - Forward Leah Shumoski tallied 23 points and 18 rebounds to lead the University of Sciences past Caldwell College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference women's basketball game Tuesday night at the Newman Center. The loss dropped the Cougars to 8-12 in the conference and 9-16 overall, while the Devils improved to 19-7 on the season and 17-4 in the CACC.

Caldwell used a pair of threes by sophomore guard Shannon Coyle (Matawan, NJ/St. John Vianney), pictured, and one from sophomore guard Jenn Murray (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) to take a 17-10 lead in the game's first five minutes. But 12 straight points by USP, including six from Shelby Rance, allowed the Devils to gain control of the game with a 22-17 advantage at the 10:24 mark. USP led by as many as 11 in the first half, and took a 43-32 lead into the break.

A 7-2 run by Caldwell, capped off by another three from Coyle, pulled the Cougars to within 45-39 with 17:04 remaining. But they would get no closer, as USP built the lead up to 18 twice in the second half.  The Devils shot 58.3 percent from the field in the second half, with Shelby Rance scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor.

Coyle and Murray each scored 13 points to lead the Cougars, while freshman forward Dana Leary (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata) recorded nine points and 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Rance finished with a game-high 25 points for USP, which also received six assists and four steals from Shumoski.

The Cougars complete their home regular-season schedule on Thursday, Feb. 24, when they host league-leading Holy Family at 6:00 p.m. in the Newman Center.

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