HARTFORD, Conn. – The Pace University women's basketball team got to experience what many Division II programs do not get the opportunity to do, take on the top Division I program, University of Connecticut. The Setters visited the Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. Sunday afternoon, falling 95-32 to the four-time defending Division I National Champions in an exhibition game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UConn came out running a full-court press against the Setters, and pressed them for the entire first half.
- The Huskies let up on the press coverage in the second half, allowing the Setters to play the game they have worked on in practice throughout the preseason.
- The Setters kept pace with the Huskies in the third quarter, matching them with 13 points apiece in the frame.
- A jumper by junior
Geena Rosalbo (Staten Island, NY/Curtis), followed by a three by junior
Gabriella Rubin (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic) gave Pace a 5-0 run against the Huskies during the third.
- Sophomore
Alexandra Monteleone (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) hit twice from long range in the second half, and graduate student
Jaclyn Oskam (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central / Quinnipiac University) and Rosalbo each added one of their own.
PACE LEADERS
- Senior
Kirsten Dodge (Fabius, NY/Fabius-Pompey) scored a team-high nine points and grabbed a pair of rebounds.
- Monteleone added seven points, including a pair of three, as well as a team-high five boards.
- Oskam sank a trey and made 3-of-4 chances from the free-throw line for a six-point afternoon. She also dished out a team-high two assists.
- Rosalbo was on the court for 35 minutes, playing tough on both ends. She had five points, a steal and a pair of rebounds.
UCONN STATS
- Gabby Williams had a big game for the Huskies, picking up a double-double with 24 points and 10 boards.
- Napheesa Collier also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
- Ossining High School graduate Saniya Chong picked up 10 points.
COACH'S COMMENTS
"It was a great experience challenging a powerhouse program like UConn in front of over 5,000 excited fans," said Head Coach
Carrie Seymour. "Now we turn our focus to LIU Post and NYIT and get ready for next weekend."
SEASON STARTS FRIDAY
- The Setters open the regular season in the ECC/NE-10 Challenge, which will be hosted by LIU Post from Friday, Nov. 11 to Saturday, Nov. 12. The Setters will take on the host Pioneers on Friday at 5 p.m., and close out the weekend against the New York Institute of Technology on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
For all information regarding Pace University women's basketball, log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace Women's Basketball on Facebook (
Pace Women's BBall), Twitter (
@PaceWBB) and Instagram (
@PaceWBB).
