Golden Eagles Fall to Providence, 53-44

Feb. 13, 2010

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MILWAUKEE - Unable to capitalize late in the game Saturday afternoon, the Marquette University women's basketball team fell to Providence College, 53-44, at the Al McGuire Center.

Freshman Sarina Simmons led the Golden Eagles (14-10, 5-6 BIG EAST) with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Courtney Weibel scored nine points. Simmons and Weibel scored all of their points in the first half. Angel Robinson was held to three points, her second-lowest output of the season.

Providence (14-10, 5-6 BIG EAST) was led by Chelsea Marandola's 14 points and Emily Cournoyer's 11 second-half points.

Trailing 46-41 with just under two minutes to play, Robinson scored her only points on a three-point play to pull the score within two at 46-44. On the ensuing Providence possession, Friar forward Mi-Khida Hankins missed a point-blank layup which was pulled down by Jessica Pachko.

Robinson was then fouled with 1:21 remaining, but was unable to make either free throw and fouled out of the contest after going for her own rebound.

In the last minute of action, Providence closed out the game by scoring the final seven points.

With the MU offense struggling to gain a foothold in the first half, Simmons kept the Golden Eagles in the game, scoring nine of MU's first 11 points.

Trailing 20-11, Courtney Weibel drained two consecutive shots from long range to pull MU within three at 20-17. Marquette continued its onslaught, with an three-point play from Simmons, another three from Weibel and a free throw from Jocelyn Mellen to put MU in front 24-20. During that stretch MU scored 13 consecutive points to head into the locker room with a 27-26 lead.

Providence bolted out of the intermission to take a 38-29 lead following a 12-2 run to start the half. In that stretch, PC got seven points from Emily Cournoyer and five from Brittany Dorsey.

Marquette then used a 12-2 run of its own to retake the lead at 41-40, capped by a trey from Lauren Thomas-Johnson.

Marquette recorded assists on eight of its ten field goals in the opening half and 12 of 16 in the whole game.

The Golden Eagles return to action Tuesday at Louisville at 6 p.m.