Diplomats Dominate Trinity 85-28 to Advance to Tip-Off Tournament Title Game

by Sports Information
11/23/02

LANCASTER, PA -- Franklin & Marshall College center Amy Abernathy (Jr., Far Hills, NJ/American School-Paris) scored nine points and pulled down a game high 13 rebounds as the Diplomats defeated Trinity College of Washington D.C. 85-28 to advance to the championship game of the 15th Annual Franklin & Marshall College Women's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament.

Abernathy dominated in the first half pulling down nine rebounds, including five offensive boards, and chipping in six points as the Diplomats pulled out to a 42-20 lead at intermission.

The story of the game was turnovers and the bench of the Diplomats as the Tigers gave up the ball 40 times, including 18 in the first half, while F&M turned it over 20 times with eight first half turnovers.

Off the bench, Maura Lentz (So., Baltimore, MD/Catonsville) was the key for the Diplomats as she came off the sidelines to lift F&M by scoring eleven points and adding five rebounds. Courtney Tierney (Jr., Princeton, NJ/The Hun School) added 12 points and four assists in his first game on the Division III level since transferring from Division I FDU-Teaneck.

F&M used a total team effort in the second half as twelve different Diplomats found the scoring column with Ann Parker (Jr., Baltimore, MD/Notre Dame) and Lauren Dodrill (So., Timonium, MD/Roland Park) leading the way with six apiece. Overall, F&M shot 17-of-34 from the field for 50 percent in the half while holding Trinity to eight-second half points.

For Trinity, Bonita Winchester was the leading scorer with seven points while Becky Worsham pulled down nine rebounds.

The Diplomats will face Lebanon Valley College in the tournament championship game on Sunday, November 24 at 1:00 p.m. as the Flying Dutchmen defeated Delaware Valley 88-70 in the other semi-final contest.

For Lebanon Valley, three players scored in double figures with Erin Eaby leading the way with 21 points. Stephanie Tighe added seventeen points and Jennifer Northcott brought down thirteen rebounds to pace LVC.

The Flying Dutchmen caught fire early in the first half as they used 20 turnovers by the Aggies to take a 52-34 lead into halftime. Erin Eaby scored seventeen of her 21 points in the half to lead LVC who held on for the 18-point victory.

Delaware Valley was led by Amber Smolinsky who poured in 15 points while Bridget Golden added 10.

Delaware Valley will meet Trinity in the tournament consolation game set for 3:00 p.m.