Posse nears 2,000 as Lady Cavs pound Wesley

by Ron D'Orazio sports editor

Senior center Melissa Posse scored 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the Lady Cavaliers' 67-49 victory over Wesley College in a Pennsylvania Athletic Conference match. Posse's 25 points pulled her to within 12 points of 2,000 for her career.

If Posse, who has two regular season games remaining before the playoffs, scores the 12, she would be the first player to hit ¢at plateau in Cabrini's basketball history.

•Coming in to the game on Monday, Feb.15, Posse needed 37 points for the milestone. After a 31-point performance in last Saturday's game against Alvemia, the idea of accomplishing the feat during the Wesley game was not inconceivable.

Before the game, coach Dan Welde made a speech in tribute to Posse's contributions to the team.

Posse is the only senior on the team and would play at home in the postseason only if the Lady Cavs finished in the top two spots in the division.

With an energetic crowd behind them, the Lady Cavs shook off a slow offensive start to take control of the game as half-time rolled around. The score at half-time, 3119, was quickly increased in the first few minutes of the second half. The Lady Cavs went on a 25-9 run in the first lOminutes of the half to virtually close out the contest in their favor.

First-year forward Erin Crawford leaps past two Wesley defenders for a bucket during the Lady Cavs' win.

One event during the contest that seemed to spark the Lady Cavs was a shoving incident under the basket. A foul was assessed to Alonda Tate, a first-year forward for Wesley, for hitting first-year forward Mary Ellen Murphy while they were under the basket.

Lady Cavs coach Dan Welde and Wesley head coach Michelle Stabley had a discussion on the matter at the end of the half.

Coach Stabley said that she wanted to make sure that she saw "eye to eye" with Welde on the what happened in the low post.

After the incident, the Lady Cavs started to focus their offense. First-year student Erin Crawford hit two consecutive three pointers to enlarge the Lady Cavs' lead before the half ended.

Posse came out in the second half with eight points. She was followed by Murphy, who had six first-half points.

First-year student Erin Crawford and junior Jackie Pierangeli were tied for the team lead in assists with three.

With the crowd and her team showing their support, Posse started the second half needing 29 points for the accomplishment.

Posse scored 17 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half as the Lady Cavs jacked up their lead.

Suddenly, the 2,000 point barrier was in reach, as she needed 12 points in the final 10 minutes.

With just over nine minutes left to go in the game, Posse was whistled for her fifth foul. Unfortunately, five fouls means the end of the game for a college player.

The crowd stood to cheer Posse and give the referees a light-hearted show of disap- proval.

The Lady Cavs, who were on the bench at that point, continued to wave signs and cheer in support of Posse.

Posse said that she was happy with the crowd turnout at the game and that her team showed great support.

In terms of the game being her last one at home, Posse said that she felt sad and will miss basketball and the team.

As for her accomplishment, Posse said, "It's nice to be able to score 2,000 but I really want to win the championship before I leave, and we have the team to do it."

UP NEXT...

• Cabrini Lady Cavaliers vs. Holy Family College

Saturday,Feb. 20

Time:8 p.m.

Location:Holy Family