Roser, Erkson Power Women’s Basketball Past Cazenovia, 65-55

AURORA, N.Y. – Junior Ashley Roser (Taberg, N.Y.) and freshman Holli Erkson (Cooperstown, N.Y.) both reached the 20-point plateau as the Wells College women's basketball team posted a 65-55 victory over the Wildcats of Cazenovia College Thursday evening at the Frances Tarlton Farenthold Athletic Wing. The Express (2-6, 1-0 NEAC) collect both their first North Eastern Athletic Conference victory in addition to their first home victory of 2012-13. The Wildcats have lost 20 straight games and sport an 0-8 record (0-1 NEAC) following today's conference opener.

The Express trailed by eight points early in the first half with an Erin O'Malley layup placing the Wildcats out in front by a 14-6 margin with 11:29 to go in the first stanza. Four straight layups by Roser placed the Express ahead by two with 8:02 remaining in the first. However, a three pointer by Kimberly Vrigian preceded a successful layup and a successful "and one" foul shot conversion to grant the visitors a four point cushion.

After a Brittany White (Lewiston, N.Y.) layup with 4:49 remaining, two Roser free throws knotted the score at 22 apiece and the Express never looked back from there. Erkson potted a jumper with 2:15 remaining in the first half and a Cassie Smythe (Eden, N.Y.) three pointer extended the Express lead to five with just under one minute remaining.

Despite mounting a miniature rally with 17:50 remaining in the second half to cut the deficit to three points, the Express ran off the game's next 16 points to seal the victory. Despite piecing together a 24 point lead near the midpoint of the contest, the Express managed to let their once sizeable lead diminish to just seven with 1:12 remaining. In the game's final five minutes, the Wildcats bombed two three pointers but could not stage a dramatic comeback in the waning minutes.

Roser finished her evening with 23 total points, shooting a cumulative 9-for-17 from the field and posting a team-best three blocks. Collecting 17 boards, Roser collects her seventh double-double on the season as well. Erkson poured home a career-high 20 points while also posting four rebounds and four takeaways. She is also a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe dating back to Dec. 2 against SUNY Canton. Smythe converted a team-best two three pointers and also collected three steals.

For Cazenovia, Vrigian led the way with 14 points alongside four steals and four rebounds. Megan McDermott and Jennifer DiSanto posted 11 and 10 points, respectively, with DiSanto posting two three point baskets. McDermott also led the way with 14 total rebounds.

The Express return to action Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 as they open the new year on the road against Penn St.-Berks in a 6:00 p.m. contest. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).