Strait and Monpere Lead Lady Lakers to Conference Road Win over TC3
DRYDEN, NY. – Casi Strait and Britany Monpere, both a pair of Finger Lakes CC (4-9, 1-0 MSAC) sophomores, paced the Lady Lakers to a 64-49 conference road victory on Tuesday over the Tompkins Cortland CC Lady Panthers. The game, which marked the start of conference play for both teams, was the Lady Lakers first contest in nearly a month. Finger Lakes proved that the layoff went to its benefit.
Strait, who is averaging 19.3 points per game, surpassed her seasons' scoring average last night by dropping in a game-high 25 points. Her scoring was the result of an 8-15 shooting display from the field.
Monpere contributed a double-double in the win by registering 13 points and 13 rebounds (game-high). In addition to her points and rebounds, the forward put claim to a game-high 5 blocks.
In terms of overall scoring, both half's went in favor of Finger Lakes. The Lady Lakers took a 28-17 lead heading into halftime. The second half would reveal a hefty amount of scoring between both squads in comparison to half number one. In the final 20 minutes, Finger Lakes would outscore Tompkins Cortland, 36-32.
On the shooting front, the Lady Lakers turned in a 34% night from the field as a team. The Lady Panthers compiled a 30% showing in the shooting department.
Tompkins Cortland, despite falling, showed a great deal of heart in the contest. The Lady Panthers top three scorers each reached double figures in points – led by Becca Holton Tomasdo's 15 points. Adding 13-point and 12-point efforts respectively for the hosts were Chelsy Kern and Meghan Ideman.
The Lady Lakers received several other valuable efforts out of their lineup to go along with the play of Strait and Monpere. Finger Lakes guard Julia Pagano pitched in with 9 points, 5 assists (game-high), and 11 steals (game-high).
Casey Dean and Jordan Smith each provided the Lady Lakers with a lift in the road meeting. Dean, coming off of the bench, delivered 7 points and 7 rebounds. Smith finished second behind Monpere on the team in the rebounding category as she chipped in with 10 boards.
Tompkins Cortland, just like Finger Lakes, also produced two players in the double-digit rebounding column. Audrey Kate Ordway and Kern registered 12 (team-high) and 10 rebounds respectively.
The Lady Lakers, in their next contest, will return home for a conference matchup with Broome CC. That game, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow at Putt Moore Court, is slated to get underway at 6:00 p.m.