SPRINGFIELD, MA – First-year center Lem Atanga McCormick (Chicago, IL) scored 17 points and fellow rookie guard Kim Fiorentino (Holmdel, NJ) added 15 points as Amherst posted an 80-59 victory over Westfield State in the final game of the Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic Saturday afternoon at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.
Fiorentino was named the Tournament MVP and Atanga McCormick made the All-Tournament Team after the Lord Jeffs (who defeated host Western New England College 69-38 Friday) stayed unbeaten at 8-0. Ranked 13th nationally in the D3hoops.com poll, Amherst finished 2-0 in the Classic for the third consecutive year.
Amherst started strong by taking a 29-15 lead in the first half before the Owls came back to pull within seven (38-31) at halftime.
Westfield State cut the lead to four at 41-37 following a basket by junior guard Sarah Boudreau (Tewksbury, MA) three minutes into the second period. The Lord Jeffs responded with a 13-2 run to take a 54-39 lead following a basket by sophomore center Sarah Leyman (Cincinnati, OH) with 11:47 left in the game. Westfield State couldn't get closer than 12 points in the final 11:31.
Leyman finished with 13 points along with five rebounds and five assists while senior guard Stacy Brossy (Lukachukai, AZ) was the fourth Amherst player in double figures with 10 points. Senior forward Yasmine Harik (New York, NY) pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.
Amherst shot 52.2 percent from the field and held a 33-24 advantage off the boards. Boudreau led the Owls with 15 points while senior guard Katie Sylvain (Hadley, MA) collected 14 points as both players earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Senior forward Andrea Wasuk (Lenox, MA) also scored 14 points. Westfield State is now 5-2.
In other tournament action, Springfield defeated Western New England College, 76-55.
Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic All-Tournament Team
Kim Fiorentino (Amherst)
Lem Atanga McCormick (Amherst)
Sarah Boudreau (Westfield State)
Katie Sylvain (Westfield State)
Corey Finch (Springfield)
Kelly McCormick (Western New England College)
Most Valuable Player – Kim Fiorentino (Amherst)
