Once Again, Saints' Season Highlighted by GNAC Title, NCAA Berth
April 02, 2008
The 2007-08 season proved to be the same story, different chapter for the Emmanuel women's basketball team, which claimed the program's 12th Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship and earned another trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.
The top-seeded Saints tore through the conference championship tournament in dominant fashion, defeating their opponents by an average of more than 25 points per contest. In the finals, Emmanuel faced-off against second-seeded Suffolk University, which only three weeks prior had defeated the Saints 66-55, ending their eight-game win streak. Storming out of the gates quickly, the Emmanuel women refused to let the Rams stay in the hunt, taking over the lead for good just four-and-a-half minutes into the game and cruising to their second-straight league title with a 70-51 decision.
In the first half, the Saints utilized their sharp shooting and pressure defense to bury the Rams at both ends of the court, dropping six three-pointers and forcing 20 Suffolk turnovers to open up a 42-29 lead heading into the locker rooms. The second half was much of the same, with Emmanuel continuing to capitalize on turnovers, expanding their lead to as much as 28 points and coasting to the finish line for the team's 13th invitation to the NCAA tournament.
"The whole weekend we played the best basketball we have played all season long," said Head Coach Andy Yosinoff. "We were operating on all cylinders and it was just a great team effort."
Jacque Pannell '08 was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player for her consistently stellar play during the weekend, totaling 38 points, 25 rebounds and seven steals throughout the three games. Iman Davis '10, who earned the GNAC Player of the Year distinction, performed valiantly as well, chipping in 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a game-high seven steals in the title match to earn a spot on the All-Tournament team. She was joined by teammate Jade Paez '08, who averaged over 11 points per contest during GNAC postseason play.
Drawing SUNY Brockport, the Saints traveled to host William Smith College in Geneva, NY on March 3rd for the first round of the NCAA tournament. Excited to see his players peaking at the right time, Yosinoff saw great potential in their ability to bring the same commanding presence to the court once again - this time on the nation's biggest stage.
"With everything coming together at that time, I was extremely optimistic about heading to upstate New York to play SUNY Brockport," he said. "We didn't know much about them, but we saw it as a good draw."
Unfortunately, a slow Saints' start, mixed with an opening 18-4 Golden Eagles' run, placed Emmanuel in a tough spot from the get-go, with their opponents expanding their lead to 25-7 with 7:39 to go before halftime. Captains Paez and Pannell played a big part in getting the Saints back into the fray, igniting the team on a quick 10-3 run and eventually cutting Brockport's lead to 34-24 before the buzzer.
"We came out somewhat nervous, especially the younger players who had not been there before," said Yosinoff. "I was proud of the way the team kept its composure and battled back."
Despite cutting the Golden Eagles' lead to three and remaining within striking distance in the final minutes, the Saints' season ultimately came to a close that night, with Brockport holding on to win 68-64. The Saints finished the winter with a 22-7 record.
With the season now officially drawn to a close, the Saints part ways with the largest graduating class during Yosinoff's 31-year coaching career at Emmanuel, players the longtime head coach has especially enjoyed watching mature during their tenure in Blue and Gold.
"They are great kids," he said of the outgoing seniors. "They really came together as leaders at the end of the season and I was really proud of them. They will be missed."
Paez ends her collegiate career as one of the finest players to ever wear a Saints' uniform, finishing seventh on the all-time points list with 1,270. Last year's GNAC Player of the Year, she was also a D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region Third Team selection and played a key role in the Saints' "Sweet Sixteen" run.
"She's one of the best guards in the history of Emmanuel, she's an explosive and great player," said Yosinoff. "It will be hard to find a replacement for her."
Although Pannell spent only two seasons with the Saints, in that time she was able to make a lasting impression as a student-athlete at the College. A starter since her arrival, she leaves knowing she saved her best games for last, with the GNAC tournament's MVP trophy as proof. The president of the conference's Student Athlete Advisory Council, she was recently accepted to the University of Central Florida where she will study sports management.
Departing along with Paez and Pannell is Maura Mooney '08, who provided great offense in the block for the Saints, as well as Leah Lipschitz '08, who transferred from Boston University and came into her own as a member of the team this season. One of the team's best outside threats, she also finished among the leaders in rebounds, averaging 4.0 per game.
Sara Long '08, who provided the Saints with a spark due to her shot-blocking abilities, ends her time at Emmanuel after a season in which she finished second among the team in blocks (26). Erica Wenz '08, a strong defensive presence and Kathleen Brice '08, a hard working and "great teammate," according to Yosinoff, round out the list of graduating players.
With a solid nucleus, including Davis, Abigail Brenkach '10, Kristin Lebel '11 and Casey Shevlin '11, returning to the hardwood next winter, Yosinoff hopes the NCAA tournament game against Brockport will prove valuable to his crop of young players and translate into even more success next year.
"I'm hoping it was a good learning experience for them," he said. "Hopefully with a strong freshman class we can go much further next year," he said.