Basketball Falls To Drew in Key Largo, 72-62

Game Statistics

TAVERNIER, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2010) – Led by sophomore guard Danielle Barber, the Drew University women’s basketball team overcame a 14 point deficit to defeat Mount Holyoke College 72-62 this afternoon at the 2010 Key Largo Classic. With the win, the Rangers improved to 9-0 on the year. It was the first ever meeting between the two programs.

The Key Largo Classic, which is taking place at Coral Shores High School, will conclude with a contest between Drew and Rivier tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Rivier handed the Lyons a 66-60 setback last night.

Barber racked up game highs of 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists. She went 7-of-11 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. As a team, Drew connected on 45.1% (23-51) of its shots from the field and drained nine three pointers. The Rangers finished with a 37-35 advantage on the glass. In addition to Barber, they also received a boost from junior forward Jessica Reid, who tallied 10 points and nine boards.

Leading the way for Mount Holyoke were first year guard Angelica Pascual and sophomore forward Tricia Chase, who amassed 14 points apiece. The duo pulled down seven and nine rebounds, respectively. Seniors Kate Shafir and Erin Cain chipped in with nine points each. The Lyons shot 39.0% (23-59) from the floor and netted six three balls.

At the conclusion of the event Pascual and Cain were each selected to the All-Tournament Team. They were joined on the squad by Most Valuable Player Monica White (Rivier), Jess Mellen (Rivier), Barber (Drew) and Dana Coronato (Drew).

After playing to a deadlock after the first six minutes, Mount Holyoke took control of the contest with 10 straight points. Sophomore guard Christine Chancy and Shafir got the rally going with back-to-back treys, and a jumper by Cain put the Lyons in front 18-8 at the 10:30 mark.

The cushion ballooned to 25-11 following a short jumper by Chase with 6:04 remaining in the first half. Mount Holyoke still enjoyed a 31-18 advantage at the 3:37 mark, but Drew closed out the half on a 13-6 run to close the cap to 37-31. Chase and Barber recorded 10 points apiece before the break.

Drew continued to roll in the early stages of the second stanza, outscoring the Lyons 12-5 over the first seven minutes. The Rangers went in front 43-42 following a layin by first year center Eden Blazovic at the 13:37 mark. The teams went back and forth over the next seven minutes, with neither side leading by more than three points. Drew then pulled away with a 9-0 spurt. Its 68-57 edge in the waning minutes was its largest of the day. Barber collected 11 points after the intermission.

Mount Holyoke (4-7, 2-2 NEWMAC) will return to action on Wednesday, when it visits Wheaton College for a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tilt beginning at 7:30 p.m.