Behrend Lions Ready to Open Season with Tip-Off Tournament
The
Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team opens the 2005-06 season
at home this weekend with the annual tip-off tournament at Behrend’s
Junker Center.
The Behrend Lions will begin the season on Friday at 8:00 p.m. against Westminster. The other Friday contest, pitting Mt. Union vs. Case Western, will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday the women’s tournament will wrap up with the consolation game at 1:00 p.m. followed by the championship game at 3:00 p.m.
Last season Behrend finished with a 17-11 record, their eighth consecutive winning season. The Behrend women ended their season in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) semifinals and have been eagerly awaiting the new season. The blue and white will look to three upperclassmen for leadership in 2005-06. Senior guard Kristie Connolly (Pittsburgh/North Hills) saw action in 26 games last season and should provide a big spark to the Behrend Lions squad. Junior guard Brittany Mays (Knox/Keystone), who averaged 8.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg a year ago, will be counted on to use her athleticism for big contributions. Junior forward Rachel Slomski (Erie/McDowell) is the top returning scorer and most experienced post player returning as she averaged 10.5 ppg last season.
Behrend captured last season’s tip-off tournament championship by defeating Juniata 77-66 followed by a 52-43 win over Adrian in the championship game.
Following the tournament, Coach Roz Fornari’s team will hit the road for a pair of AMCC games. Behrend will play first on December 2 at Pitt-Greensburg and then on December 3 at Frostburg.