By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Courtesy of Messiah College
GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Juniata College women's basketball team started its 2013-14 season on a high note as the Eagles rolled over Ursinus College 83-58 in the semifinals of the Messiah College Tip-Off Tournament Saturday afternoon. All five of Juniata's starters finished in double figures, led by junior Kelsey Livoti (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) who dropped a career-high 20 points going 8-for-14 from the floor with seven rebounds and four assists.
"The girls played tough," said head coach Danny Young-Uhrich. "They played hard. It was fun to watch them."
Seniors Jordan Hileman (Williamsburg, Pa./Williamsburg) and Kate McDonald (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) put together all-around games, earning double-doubles in the win.
Hileman went 3-for-4 from behind the arch and grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds en route to her first collegiate double-double. The point guard flirted with a triple double, picking up a game-high six assists in her 34 minutes on the floor. McDonald continued where she left off last season. The forward battled for a team-high 13 rebounds and earned 12 points of her own with five assists and five steals.
"I hope they put the stamp on their senior years," Young-Uhrich said of her upperclassmen. "This is the season they hang their hats on. I hope this is the start of something phenomenal for them. Kate is steady and Jordan is the X factor. If she plays the way she did today, then we're going to be in good shape."
Juniata never trailed and led as many as 29 points in the contest and dropped 80+ points while holding an opponent under 60 for only the sixth time in two years.
"It helps when we shoot 52 percent from the floor," added Young-Uhrich. "We had a balanced contribution which also helps point production."
Freshman Sarah Sherman (Lansdale, Pa./Methacton) made the most of her collegiate debut. She scored 14 points going 6-for-12 from the field. Also finishing in double-digits was sophomore Paige Dennison (East Berlin, Pa./Bermudian Springs). She spent a career-long 34 minutes on the floor and earned 11 points.
Ursinus' Jessica Porada finished with a team-high 16 points and game-high 14 rebounds. The Bears (0-1) saw impressive production from their bench who accounted for nearly half the teams points.
Juniata (1-0) will now play for the tournament championship Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. against host Messiah, who is receiving votes in two national polls. The Falcons defeated Rosemont College 86-66 to advance to the title game.
"This is an opportunity for us," added Young-Uhrich. "It's been a while since we played Messiah. It's goof for us for when we go up against the Moravian's and Scranton's. If we can handle Messiah, then I think we're going to be alright this year."
It's been four years since the programs met. The Eagles are 23-35 all-time against Messiah. Juniata dropped the 79-67 decision back in 2008 when they were last in Grantham.
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