(box score)
A school record and four other career marks could not withstand the juggernaut that is Widener's women's basketball team, which won its eighth straight game with a convincing 96-79 triumph over Rowan at Schwartz Center.
Sophomore Lil Carney (Narberth, PA) broke the school record with 14 assists, topping the previous high of 10 shared by four players. The 2010 Commonwealth Conference Rookie of the Year and first team all-league pick also scored nine points over 34 minutes.
Sophomore Vanessa Hejnas (Delran, NJ) broke her career highs with 16 points and 13 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards. Sophomore Francesca Lee (Hainesport, NJ) had a personal-best 12 rebounds to go with 11 points and freshman Jennifer Egee (Ridley Park, PA) scored a team-high 20 points to match her season best.
Egee scored 13 points, including three 3-pointers, during a 21-6 run in which Widener opened a 36-20 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first half. She poured in 15 points during the half, helping the Pride take a 47-31 lead by shooting 45 percent (19-of-42) from the field and holding the Profs to only 33 percent (8-of-24).
Sophomore Kate Dellinger (Wrightsville, PA) netted 14 points and Joanna Persiano (Ventnor, NJ) added 11 for Widener, which shot 45 percent (38-of-85) overall and tied a season high with 11 three-pointers. The Pride also amassed a 52-30 rebounding edge that included 27-10 the offensive boards.
Brittany Baum scored 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting with Lauren Gregg adding 11 and four blocks for Rowan (6-4), which shot 44 percent (24-of-54) from the field but committed 23 turnovers.
The Pride (10-1) continue their best start since the 1976-77 squad won their first 11 games.
Widener is off until December 28, when it visits Wesley at the Wesley Shootout in Dover, DE. Tip-off is 5:00 pm.
