Box Score
(Carlisle, Pa.) – The Dickinson women's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Days Inn Tip-Off Tournament on Friday night, turning back Hood College, 78-70. The Red Devils started four first-years and a sophomore, but didn't show their youth in the season opener.
First-year Erica Buls (New Market, Md./Oakdale) led the way with game-highs of 16 points and eight rebounds, tying the Tournament single-game record with four blocked shots as well. First-year guard Mary Martin (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) recorded a double-double in her collegiate debut, netting 13 points and controlling 10 rebounds. She added a pair of assists and two steals.
The Red Devils saw four players reach double-figures as juniors Sarah Phillips (West Amwell, N.J./South Hunderdon) and Liz Schultz (Dunmore, Pa./Scranton Prep) tallied 11 and 10, respectively. Phillips pulled down six rebounds.
Overall, the Red Devils used a balanced attack. Sam Kennedy (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) and Jennifer Smith (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) each scored nine points while Helen Roberts (Oakton, Va./Oakton) chipped in with eight points and four rebounds.
Hood led in the early going, but couldn't open a significant advantage. Eboni Staples put the Blazers in front by six, hitting a pair of free throws with 5:23 to play in the first half. The Red Devils answered with a 9-2 run to take the lead on Phillips lay-up at the 3:51 mark.
Martin closed out the half with an old fashioned three-point play, giving Dickinson a, 37-33 lead, at halftime.
The Red Devils held the lead throughout the second half. Hood pulled even at 11:56 mark, tying the game for the 13th time on the night. From that point, the Red Devils would score and not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. They continued to keep the pressure on, extending the margin to as many as 15, in the final six minutes of the game.
The Red Devils advance to Saturday night's final. They will face the winner of the other opening round match-up, Widener University at 8:00 pm. Widener topped Hollins University, 72-62. Hood will take on Hollins in the consolation game at 6:00 pm.
Danni Medovich led Hood with 13 points while Eboni Staples added 12 points and seven rebounds. Jessy Burke reached double-figures with 10 points, adding five rebounds.
Video: Postgame Interview - Trevor Diamond with Erica Buls
