RADNOR, PA - The Cabrini University women's basketball team returned to the win column with a commanding 72-47 victory over the Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins.
Four Cavaliers finished the game with double figures as graduate student
Ashley Tutzauer led the way with a team high 18 points in 20 minutes of action. She added nine boards two assists and a steal to round out her performance. Freshman
Giana Rullo recorded her first career double-double with a career high 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Miranda Liebtag also finished the game with a double-double with 12 points and a career best 12 boards. Sophomore
Katie Rodriguez hauled in a game high 16 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds, and added eight points and three assists.
A Tutzauer trey got the home team on the board and sparked a 7-0 run as the Cavaliers went ahead 7-2 through four minutes of play. The Griffins briefly ended the run thanks to a made free throw by Haley Cossley but the Cavaliers opened up a double-digit advantage as they picked up 12 of the next 15 points, the run was highlighted by six points from Rullo who made two free throw attempts, a layup and a jumper in a span of two minutes. Ava Cassale ended the Cavs run and the quarter with a three pointer to close the quarter with the home team leading 21-9.
In a tightly contested second quarter both teams combined for 16 points and 17 turnovers, with six steals. Cabrini made just two of its' 12 field goal attempts in the second quarter and went 0-for-2 from beyond the arc as the Griffins out scorded the Cavs 11-5 to cut the Cavs lead to 26-20 headed into the break.
Gwynedd opened the second half with five unanswered points to pull within three of a tie game, 26-23, but the Blue and White responded quickly as they rattled off seven points to restore a double digit advantage. The run was capped by one of Tutzauers' game high three treys, 33-23. The Cavaliers outscored the Griffins 15-7 over the remained of the quarter as they took a 17 point cushion into the final 10-minutes of play, 49-32.
The Cavaliers went on an 15-2 run to open the final frame and put the game out of reach for the Griffins, 64-34. Gwynedd Mercy outscored Cabrini 13-8 over the final five and half minutes of play but it was the home team that walked away with the aforementioned 72-47 victory.
Gwynedd's Gabby Marinacci led the Griffins with 13 points and four rebounds coming off the bench, while Haley Crossley and Ava Casale finished the game with nine points apiece.
The Cavalier defense flexed their muscles as they limited the visiting Griffins to just 18.7 percent from the field, including 18.2 percent from beyond the arc, while forcing 22 turnovers. The Cavs also grabbed a season best 72 rebounds, nearly doubling their season average entering the night.
Following tonight's game, the Cavaliers improve to 5-9 overall and 1-2 in Atlantic East Conference play. They will aim to stay hot when they next travel to Glenside, PA to face the Arcadia University Knights. Tipoff is slated for 7PM.
