The women's basketball team is FINALLY getting some
respect. Despite winning the Liberty
League's regular-season AND tournament championship….AND advancing to the
second round of the NCAA tournament where they gave a more experienced New York
University team all it could handle on its own court…AND finishing the 2003-04
season with an overall record of 24-4, the Dutchwomen were still not among the
D3hoops.com preseason Top 25.
That changed, however, after Union opened the season with a
convincing 52-41 non-league victory over previously (3-0) WILLIAMS! The Dutchwomen were ranked 25th
in this week's poll after receiving 70 points.
The Dutchwomen are the only Liberty League team in the poll and join No.
2 NYU and No. 8 Rochester as the only New York State teams in the top 25.
“It is nice to get the recognition,” said head coach Mary
Ellen Burt, who picked up her 120th career victory (all at Union) in
the win over the Ephs. “I'm happy for
the players and happy for the program,” she continued. “But, we have to remember that it took us a
long time to break into the poll and it won't take much at all to drop us
out. Like I said, it is nice to be
recognized, but we'll have to work that much harder to stay there.”
Playing the very first basketball game in the history of the
brand new (and beautiful!) Viniar Sports Complex, the Dutchwomen scored the
game's final 12 points over the final 5:11.
Trailing 41-40, senior forward Katlyn Cunningham (Clarksburg, MA)
started the game-ending rally by converting one of two free throws.
Senior guard Melissa Marra (Mechanicville, NY) gave the Dutchwomen the lead for
good by canning a jumper with 4:19 showing before Cunningham converted a pass
from Marra then hit the following free throw to make it 46-41 with 3:03
remaining. Sophomore forward Krystal Hammond (Clifton Park, NY) connected
on one of two free throws with 2:29 left before Cunningham's layup gave Union
an eight-point lead, 49-41, with 1:45 on the clock. Marra rounded out the
final margin by hitting a free throw at 1:20 and then connecting on two more
with 55 seconds remaining.
Cunningham, who was playing with four fouls, led Union's
rally by contributing six points, five rebounds and an assist over the final
5:11 while Marra added five points, an assist and a rebound.
Junior guard Erika Eisenhut (Mohawk, NY), who missed the
entire preseason while starting for the 19-2-1 ECAC Upstate New York champion
soccer team, led the Dutchwomen with 15 points.
For the complete poll and ALL of the women and men's
Division III information, please go to:
http://www.d3hoops.com/