AU Women Hammer the ‘Hurst, 92-75
February 20, 2003

Complete Box Score

Most hospitals have a burn unit. In the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, only the Ashland University women’s basketball team has a “Buurma Unit.”

Junior forward Alanna Buurma posted a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds as the Ashland University women’s basketball team knocked off Mercyhurst, 92-75 Thursday (Feb. 20), in Erie, PA.

The win is AU’s second straight and gives the Eagles an 11-15 mark, 5-11 in GLIAC play. The victory also gives Ashland a split in the season series with the ‘Hurst. Earlier in the year at Kates Gymnasium the Lakers upended the Eagles, 73-69 in overtime.

Buurma hit six of eight shots from the floor and connected on 13 of 14 tries at the free throw line. AU spent a good part of the evening at the charity stripe, hitting 32 of 39 free throw attempts (82.1 percent). AU shot well from the floor as well, canning 30 of 53 tries (56.6 percent).

The Eagles took control of the game late in the first half. With 10:06 left in the first half the game was tied, 14-14. AU went on an 18-7 run and with 3:09 to play before the break the Eagles were in front, 32-21. Junior guard Isolina Brescia had four points in the surge as did sophomore forward Beth Everman.

AU led at halftime, 40-27. The home team could get no closer than 10 points in the second half.

Brescia finished the game with 18 points, four assists and three steals. Sophomore guard Angie Heintz added 12 points, five assists and four steals. Everman and freshman forward Maria Dehne had 12 points apiece.

Katie Lorincz had 22 points to pace Mercyhurst.

The game was a rough-and-tumble affair from start to finish. The contest included 41 fouls and 55 turnovers.

Ashland will play at Gannon on Saturday (Feb. 22, 1 p.m.) in the final game of the regular season.