(Posted December 12, 2006)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Juniata College women\'s basketball team turned in a stellar defensive effort and rode a second-half offensive explosion to a 59-38 non-conference victory over La Roche College in Pittsburgh Tuesday night. Juniata improved to 7-1 with the victory, while La Roche drops to 1-6 with the loss. Kelly Ashcraft (Bellefonte/State College) scored a game-high 16 points, her fourth-consecutive game in double figures, to lead Juniata. After both teams struggled to find offense in the first half, Juniata found its rhythm midway through the second stanza. Leading by just three points after a Ashleigh Sawicki three with 13:36 left in the game, Juniata exploded with a 17-3 run over the next seven minutes to put the game away. A triple and a jumper from Jill Walsh (Ferndale/Johnstown) sparked the run that left Juniata leading by 17 with just 6:50 remaining in the game. The home team would get within 12, but got no closer as Juniata claimed the win. The Eagles shot 52 percent from the floor in the second half to help put the game away. Juniata\'s defense controlled the game as the Eagles limited La Roche to just 38 points on 27 percent shooting. The Eagles limited the Redhawks to 18 points in the second half while Juniata erupted for 37 after putting just 22 points on the board in the first half. Courtney Callas (Freeport/Sarver) was also in double figures for Juniata with 12 points. Jess Winemiller (Dallastown/York) grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds and also passed out five assists to lead the Eagles. Shakeeya Simmons led La Roche with 14 points in the game as the only Redhawk to finish in double figures. Shauna Browning grabbed seven rebounds while Lyndi Miloszewski and Marlis Graves each had three assists. Juniata will be out of action until Dec. 29 when the Eagles will compete on the first day of a tournament at Heidelberg College. ###

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