COBLESKILL WOMEN’S HOOPSTERS OPEN SEASON WITH 71-45 WIN OVER FLCC

The buzz around NJCAA Region III women’s basketball circles early this season had been that the Lakers of Finger Lakes Community College were a tall talented team that could dominate opponents inside. Last night the SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tigers opened the 2005 season by chopping the Lakers down to size pounding the visitors by a 71-45 margin; displaying a diversified attack with multiple options to a large and vocal Iorio Gymnasium opening night crowd. Cobleskill opens the season with a victory for the third consecutive season under head coach Josh Suttles.

“This was a very good way to start the year we played hard and were very aggressive. If anything maybe we were a little too aggressive,” said the Fighting Tiger mentor. “I think we showed tonight that we do not always have to rely on Dee Dee Smith to make things happen. It was nice to be able to get everyone in and give them some real game experience.”

Senior NJCAA All-American forward Dee Dee Smith, Monticello, NY, Redemption Christian Academy, did play well notching a double/double with 11 points and 11 rebounds to go with four steals but it was the play senior center Crystal Ferrer, Bronx, NY, Redemption Christian Academy, whose play decimated the Lakers with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Ferrer also limited 6’3” Laker center Erin Tiernan to six points and nine rebounds. Tiernan had been averaging 30.0 points and 18.0 rebounds per game entering the contest.

Cobleskill also received big first night efforts from freshman sharpshooter Kim Stahl, Scotia, NY, Scotia-Glenville High School, who tallied 14 points including four three-point field goals and from freshman point guard Meghan Smida, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, with 13 points and four assists. Senior point guard Tenisha McClinton, Poughkeepsie, NY, Poughkeepsie High School, also contributed six points in the win while freshman guard Erinn O’Rourke, South Glens Falls, NY, South Glens Falls High School, chipped in four points on the evening.

The Fighting Tigers will next travel to Plattsburgh, NY on Saturday November 5th to meet the Cougars of Clinton Community College beginning at 3:00 PM.

TIGER NOTES: Former Fighting Tiger Assistant Coach Scott Herrin is currently the Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing & Promotions at Portland State University in Portland, OR. The Fighting Tigers are coming off a program best 22-6 season and a NJCAA Region III Tournament Appearance. Dee Dee Smith was a Third Team NJCAA All-American selection as a freshman.