Dunlap, Kirkpatrick Lead W&J To Season Sweep Of Chatham
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Freshman Valerie Dunlap (Hostetter, Pa./Latrobe) and senior Ashley Kirkpatrick (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) both recorded double-doubles as the Washington & Jefferson College women's basketball team defeated Chatham for the second time this season by a score of 85-59.
Dunlap scored a career-high 16 points and matched a career-best with 12 rebounds, while Kirkpatrick led all scorers with 19 points and pulled down 10 boards. Both players added three blocks. Dunlap also grabbed 12 rebounds during the first meeting with Chatham this season.
The Presidents (9-8, 4-6 PAC) extended their winning streak to 18-straight games against the Cougars (3-14, 0-10). W&J has never lost to Chatham.
Senior point guard Vanessa Rivera (Reading, Pa./Wilson) netted all nine of her points during the first half on perfect 4-of-4 shooting, helping W&J to a 40-31 edge at halftime.
Senior Courtney Walsh (Mill-Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) scored the first six points of the second stanza for the Presidents, as they extended their lead to 13 points. Kirkpatrick then found her scoring touch, as she tallied 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting during the final 20 minutes. W&J held a double-figure lead for nearly the entire half and were never threatened.
The Presidents' bench contributed 53 points, led by Kirkpatrick and Dunlap. Sophomore Alexa Burzese (Sewickley, Pa./Quaker Valley) also turned in a double-figure performance off the bench with 12 points. The Cougars did not receive a single point from their reserves.
Rivera dished out eight assists, moving her to within two helpers of Ann Aigner for fourth all-time. She also added three steals.
The Presidents shot 49.3 percent (36-73) from the field and forced 24 turnovers by the Cougars. W&J held a 41-35 edge on the boards.
Four players scored in double figures for Chatham, led by Becky Rowe, who netted 15. Lizz King recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
W&J will be back at the Henry Memorial Center on Wednesday evening to face Thiel. The Presidents were downed by the Tomcats 76-66 earlier this season in Greenville.
