Second-Half Slump Dooms Garnet in 69-43 Season-Opening Loss to TCNJ
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Junior Kathryn Stockbower scored 18 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, but a 30-2 run over a 12-minute stretch in the second half was enough to help visiting TCNJ break open a tight game as the Lions defeated the homestanding Garnet 69-43 in the first game of the 2009 Swarthmore Tip-Off Tournament from Tarble Pavilion on Saturday afternoon.
Stockbower led the Garnet with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Kelsey Kutch and Hannah Tait each scored 12 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Lions, with Tait connecting on four three-pointers, including three during the critical 30-2 run. Kutch also led the Lions with nine rebounds.
Senior Lisa Schumacher scored 14 points for the Garnet, who were done in by poor shooting from the field (31%) and at the line (38%).
The teams entered the second half with TCNJ holding a slim 29-23 advantage, and the start of the half hinted that the game would go to the final buzzer. Stockbower hit a lay-up with 16:59 remaining to cut the TCNJ lead to just 34-32, but from that point, things would quickly go downhill for the Garnet
From there, Swarthmore would only score two points for the next 12 minutes, while the Lions rattled off a 30-2 run to put the game out of reach.
The double-double by Stockbower - the 2009 Centennial Conference Performer of the Year - is the 43rd of her career.
Junior Summer Miller-Walfish added seven rebounds and four blocks.
The Garnet return to action tomorrow for the final day of the Swarthmore Tip-Off Tournament when it faces Middlebury. Action is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.