(Posted November 21, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- A three-point barrage by Denison University proved to be too much for the Juniata College women's basketball team, as the Eagles dropped a 70-55 decision to the Big Red in Friday night's opening round of the Wilmington College Tip-Off Tournament in Wilmington, Ohio.

Denison drained nine of its 28 three-point attempts, accounting for better than a third of its points. Caitlin Graessle hit four treys for the Big Red, while Haley Dahlgard had a pair of three-pointers.

Senior guard Claudia McDowell (Alexandria, Pa./Juniata Valley) paced the Eagles with 16 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field, while sophomore Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) chipped in with 10 points. Senior forward Kelly Ashcraft had six points to go with a game-high seven rebounds.

Juniata (0-3) trailed 12-10 at the 11:21 mark of the first half, following back-to-back jumpers by Gina Piccolini (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) and Emily Hauser (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon). Denison answered with a Carolyn Simpson jumper, which triggered a 16-4 run that resulted in a 28-14 lead for the Big Red.

Denison continued to hold an 11-point lead at the break, 35-24, and never allowed Juniata to cut the margin to single digits during the second half.

Juniata will face SUNY Geneseo in Saturday's consolation game at 1:00 p.m. SUNY Geneseo was downed 66-52 by Wilmington College in Friday's other first round matchup.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.