Caira has monster game in Lynx victory

PAXTON, Mass. - Lesley University women's basketball sophomore Brianne Caira (Pelham, N.H.) scored 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting and added six blocks as the Lynx defeated Anna Maria College 64-45 for their first victory of the 2008-2009 season. 

The Lynx kicked off the first half with a 12-0 run and never relinquished the lead. 

Lesley would build a 36-23 advantage by the end of the first half thanks in large part to the strong play of Caira and fellow sophomore Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, N.Y.).  Caira led all first half scorers with 10 points while Wechsler hit all three of her shots from the floor and totaled nine points.  Wechsler totaled 14 points in the game.  

The Lynx showed their size by scoring 24 points in the paint in the first period and took advantage of their opponent's mistakes as they converted 17 points off 12 turnovers.

The second half was much of the same from the visiting Lynx as Caira scored seven points and recorded five blocks.  Lesley stretched out their lead in the second half and walked away with a 64-45 triumph.

Anna Maria freshman Samantha Ashton (Worcester, Mass.) did her best to keep the AMCATS in the game with her game-high 18 points, two steals, and two blocks while teammate Maggie Sielawa (Webster, Mass.) came close to a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.

Cassidy Freed (Brattleboro, Vt.) led all rebounders in the game with 11, nine of which came in the first half.

Lesley will next travel to play Babson College on Tuesday, November 25 at 5:00 pm while Anna Maria will host Green Mountain College on Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 pm.

To learn more about the Lesley University women's basketball team, please visit their website.

Contact:          Rob Palardy
                        Sports Information Director
                        Lesley University
                        617.349.8627 (office)
                        617.349.8640 (fax)
                        rpalardy@lesley.edu