Drew Defeats CSI in ECAC Metro Championship

story provided by the CSI Sports Information Office

The fourth-seeded Drew University Rangers took home the school's first-ever ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament crown, eclipsing the host #3 College of Staten Island, 76-70.

It didn't take long for the Rangers to make their mark. Down 6-4 just 2:15 into the game, Drew lashed back with a 14-2 run over the next three minutes, capped by a running lay-up by freshman Courtney Cunningham (Garden City, NJ/Our Lady of Mercy). When they weren't burning the Dolphins with their fast-break transition scoring, the Rangers benefited from their scorching touch from the free-throw line, as the team finished a perfect 10-10 from the charity stripe in the first half.

A trey by CSI’s Kim Thompson (Staten Island, NY/St. John Villa) followed by a Tamara Taylor (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) lay-in did cut Drew's lead to five, 31-26, but another personal 4-point tear by Cunningham put Drew up at the break, 37-28.

The Dolphins mounted another attack in the second stanza, this time thanks to the dominating performance of junior Jacclyn Rock (Staten Island, NY/New Dorp). The junior, who is Division III’s leading rebounder, tossed in 26 of her career-high 35 points in the second frame, and her lay-up with 13:10 left in regulation once again got the Dolphins within five points at 49-44. Gritty defense by Drew, and CSI's inconsistency at the charity stripe (15-25) seemed to empty the Dolphins’ tank, as the Rangers continued to respond. Consecutive baskets by Lauren Aliano (Omaha, NE/Duchesne Academy), Melissa Kraft (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph Hill), and another running lay-up by Cunningham, boosted Drew's lead to 10 points with under three minutes to play.

With the win, Drew secured their first-ever ECAC Metro Championship, packaged in their first post-season bid in team history. Drew improved to 16-10, posting a team record for most victories in a single season. Staten Island finished out its schedule with a 23-7 record. Cunningham took the Most Valuable Player honors. The freshman guard tallied 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Rock’s 35 points and 21 rebounds led all scorers.

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