CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University women's basketball senior
Kristen Drogsler (Middle Village, N.Y.) totaled 19 points to lead the Cougars past LIU Post 69-63 in their home opener.
Caldwell improves to 3-0, while the Pioneers fall to 0-3.
The teams traded leads throughout the first quarter. The Cougars closed out the opening quarter on a 7-1 run capped by a triple from junior
Andie Lennon (Secaucus, N.J.) to take an 18-14 lead.
LIU Post opened the second quarter with a pair of three-pointers to take a two-point lead. Caldwell answered with a 12-2 run as they pulled ahead by eight points late in the quarter. Seniors
Sharell Sanders (Dorchester, Mass.) and
Maura Kelty (Barrington, R.I.) each totaled six points to put Caldwell in front 30-22 with 2:54 left in the first half. The Pioneers rallied back but Caldwell held a 34-29 lead at halftime.
Caldwell extended their halftime lead to double-digits midway through the third quarter. Drogsler drained a triple in the quarter, while Sanders connected on a jumper at the 4:05 mark to give Caldwell their largest lead at 49-38.
LIU Post rallied back with 11 straight points to even at score at 49 with just over a minute to play. Senior
Karlie O'Driscoll (Sharon, Mass.) connected a lay-up with under a minute remaining to put Caldwell back in front 51-49 heading to the final quarter.
The Pioneers got as close as three points at 59-56 with under three minutes to play in the game. Drogsler's bucket at the 2:22 mark extended the Cougars lead to 61-56 and Caldwell headed to the free throw line over the final two minutes. Sanders connected on three free throws, while Lennon drained five from the line over the final two minutes to secure the win in Caldwell's home opener.
Drogsler tallied 19 points, five assists and three steals in the win. Sanders totaled 11 points, three boards, three steals and five assists. Kelty finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, while O'Driscoll posted 12 points and three rebounds. Lennon contributed 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The Cougars are back in action on Tuesday, November 21 as they travel to Molloy College for a 5 pm game.
