WBSK12-9-00

ESU-Longwood Women's Basketball

EAST STROUDSBURG - Don't count the East Stroudsburg University women's basketball team out yesterday.

Although only 1-5 entering the game, the Warriors put on a dazzling performance in stunning favored Longwood, 66-61, in the consolation game of the 36th Rotary Pocono Classic Basketball Tournament.

Four ESU players scored in double figures with seniors Kelly Hutchison and Stephanie Kuhn getting 15 points apiece and freshmen Shelly Garlach and Vanessa Kraft 13 and ten points, respectively.

The Warriors took the lead by scoring the last eight points of the first half and never trailed against a Longwood team, which won 20 games last season and was 4-2 entering the game.

Behind 29-24, Kuhn made a driving layup and Pam Helt scored four straight points on two free throws and a basket in the pivot to put ESU ahead, 30-29. Kuhn then buried a 16-footer for a 32-29 halftime edge.

Hutchison came out blazing in the second half, hitting a three-pointer and three more baskets in the first five minutes. Garlach followed with her third three-pointer and Tiffany Barnes connected from the middle for a 48-35 edge with 11:42 remaining.

Longwood made a rally down the stretch and got within two points at 61-59 with 1:56 remaining, but Pilenza made a key defensive block and then grabbed a rebound to keep ESU in front. In the final 42 seconds, Garlach and Michele Pilenza both sank two free throws and Heather Wolfe made one to wrap up the victory.

Angel Johnson led Longwood with 18 points while Toni Matkovich added 14 and Kenee Booth 13.

Hutchison made the All-Tournament team for the second straight year. She was joined by three players from champion Winston-Salem, tourney MVP Christa West, Tiffiany Whitted and LaKiska Covington, Johnson from Longwood and Denay Fields from Bowie State.

Winston-Salem trounced Bowie State, 59-42, in the championship game.

Ross 1 0-0 2, Wolfe 0 1-2 1, Garlach 4 2-2 13, Hutchison 6 2-4 15, Kraft 5 0-0 10, Brennan 0 0-0 0, Barnes 1 0-0 2, Thompson 0 0-0 0, Kuhn 5 4-4 15, Pilenza 1 2-2 4,

Helt 1 2-4 4 Totals: 24 13-18 66

Marcum 2 0-3 4, Matkovich 6 0-1 14, Price 1 0-0 2, Johnson 5 7-7 18, Richardson 1 1-3 4, Bruce 1 0-0 2, Booth 4 5-6 13, Smith 1 0-0 3, Roy-Harrison 1 0-0 2 Totals: 22 13-20 61

Three-Point Field Goals: ESU: Garlach (3), Hutchison, Kuhn Longwood: Matkovich (2), Johnson, Smith

Halftime: ESU 32-29

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Wilson 0 2-4 2, Fleet 2 1-2 5, Barnes 0 1-2 1, Gray 1 0-0 2, Fields 3 6-9 13, Johnson 0 3-4 3, Mercado 0 3-6 3, Harrison 3 0-0 6, Bialey 2 0-0 4, Scott 1 1-2 3 Totals: 12 17-29 42

Covington 1 4-4 6, Propst 3 4-5 10, West 2 4-6 9, Kirkland 0 4-6 4, Nobles 1 0-0 2, Williams 1 0-0 2, Hampton 0 0-0 0, Allison 0 0-0 0, Sellars 0 0-0 0, Moore 2 0-0 4, Guthrie 1 2-4 5, Corpening 2 0-0 6, Whitted 4 2-4 10 Totals: 17 21-29 59

Three Point Field Goals: Winston Salem: West, Guthrie, Corpening (2) Bowie: Fields

Halftime: Winston-Salem 25-15

Tiffiany Whitted, Winston-Salem

LaKisha Covington, Winston-Salem

Denay Fields, Bowie State

Angel Johnson, Longwood

Kelly Hutchison, East Stroudsburg

Outstanding Player: Christie West, Winston-Salem