Marymount Women Advance to Sweet 16

Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 3/13/03)

The Marymount University women’s basketball team (23-6) advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 round for the third year in a row as the Saints held on to defeat Rutgers-Camden 83-80 in a second-round tournament game March 8 at Verizon Sports Arena in Arlington.

The Saints, who built a 74-65 lead with 2:21 to go in the game, struggled from the foul line during the last two minutes, shooting 9-20 during that period. But they held on to advance to the sectional round this weekend.

Marymount had balanced scoring with five players in double figures. The Saints played with added incentive, not only to advance in the tournament, but to secure the 400^th career win for head coach Bill Finney.

The Lady Raptors of Rutgers-Camden were in the game until the last shot, which was taken by Cheryl Kulesa. The 30-foot shot rimmed and fell out as the buzzer went off to end the game. Kulesa finished with a game-high 25 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Marymount’s Jodie Knotts tallied 21 points and nine rebounds. Annetta Benjamin added 17 points and four steals. Katie Jarvis recorded her 10^th double-double of the season, including a career-high 19 rebounds and 14 points.

Rutgers-Camden, which finished the season at 22-7, was making its first NCAA appearance this year.

Marymount will travel to the University of Rochester for this year's sectional games. The Saints will face Messiah (27-2) on Friday at 6 p.m. Messiah eliminated the Saints in the sectionals two years ago in double overtime. Ithaca (22-5) will face Rochester (22-4) at 8 p.m. The winners of Friday's games will play at 7 p.m. on Saturday for a chance to get to the final four.

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