Nov. 19, 2005
Baltimore, Md. -
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The Loyola College women's basketball team travels to Hartford Sunday for their first road game of the season. The `Hounds are looking for their first win of the season after a 65-62 loss to VCU at home Friday.
Hartford opened its season Friday night with a 58-45 road win over Rhode Island. The Hawks were led by Danielle Hood's 17 points. Hood was followed by Erica Beverly with 14 as well as 11 rebounds and Erika Messam with 13 rebounds and seven assists.
Hartford, after earning the conference title in 2004-05 were picked to win the America east crown this season in a coaches poll. The Hawks return 11 of 14 players from last seasons roster and four of five starters. Leading returning scorer Erika Messam leads the team after averaging 11.2 points as a freshman. The number two and three returning scorers also return in Ikea Witt (10.8 ppg) and Danielle Hood (9.2 ppg).
In the first game of the season, junior Brittany Dunn set a new career-high with 16 points. She was followed by Katie Scherle's 14 points. Jackie Valderas led on the boards with seven.
Loyola returns 11 of 13 players from the 2004-05 squad including five starters. The top 11 scorers also return with the addition of three freshman.
Senior Katie Scherle returns as the leading scorer and rebounder of the past two seasons. Classmates Krystle Harrington, Jackie Valderas and Lauren Troupe rounded out the top four in scoring last season. The fifth senior Kerri-Lynn Orsini has battled injuries but looks to break out this year.
The Greyhounds also return five juniors (Brittany Dunn, Jill Glessner, Ebony Toliver, Vanessa Ruffin and Meghan Wood). Dunn, Glessner and Toliver started in several games last season and look to compete for spots on this years squad. 6-4 center Ruffin will look to break out this year as well while Wood will sit out this season due to injury.
Tynisha Davis is the lone sophomore returning while the Greyhounds add Ashley Alexander, Siobhan Prior and Cally Cole to the mix.
