Marquette University Athletics
Kieger Has 10 Assists in Women's Basketball Win
1/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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TAMPA, Fla. ? Marquette worked a 10-point halftime lead into a 20-point victory, defeating USF 60-40. Crystal Weaver led the team in scoring, tossing in 15 for the game. Carolyn Kieger had her first double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and recording a career-best 10 assist. The win was Marquette?s fifth in a row and seventh in its last eight.
?Every game, Crystal gets better with rebounding and defelections,? head coach Terri Mitchell said. ?Now, she?s looking to score more and she?s taking smart shots that help the team.?
After holding USF to five points in the first eight minutes of the second half, Marquette (13-3, 3-0 C-USA) opened up a 14 point lead midway through the final period. With 10 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half by Jessica Dickson, the Bulls closed the Marquette gap to three, 43-40.
Weaver scored field goals on back-to-back MU possessions following defensive stops as she ended a 13-4 scoring run by USF. Marquette?s lead eventually balloned to as many as 20 as it closed the game on a 17-0 run, holding USF scoreless for the final 6:38.
?Once USF made their run, we got back to the principles of our defense, cutting off their penetration and rebounding,? Mitchell said. ?It starts with defense and once our defense got back into it, our offense took over.?
Marquette went into the break up 10, thanks to a half-ending three point goal by guard Carolyn Kieger, who finished the period with a 10 points. Kieger?s trey put MU up 32-22.
?Carolyn did a tremendous job with hesitation and ball fakes. She held her dribble long enough for her teammates to get open? Mitchell added. ?We were pleased with her leadership today.?
The Golden Eagles gained the bulk of their lead using a 15-2 run over eight minutes during the half. MU changed a one-point deficit to a 11 point lead on the run. Schwerman, who finished the game with 14 points, hit a three at the beginning of the break and a field goal at the end to give MU it?s largest lead of the half. USF?s Alana Tanksley hit a three to end the run, scoring three of her team-high eight points.
Marquette?s defense was also key to the run. MU hald USF (7-9, 0-3 C-USA) to 24.1 percent shooting from the floor in the first half and forced eight turnovers.
The Golden Eagles finish the two-game road trip at UAB on Sunday, January 18 with a 2 p.m. tip in Birmingham, Ala.
