Widener’s Ireland breaks assists record
CHESTER >> Madison Ireland isn’t certain which pass broke the Widener University women’s career assists record Saturday at Schwartz Center.
The product of Garnet Valley felt a little uncomfortable discussing the mark as she credited teammates for doing the heavy work.
“It’s a really great feeling but obviously I have no one to thank other than my teammates,” Ireland said after contributing eight assists to go with 13 points to spark the Pride to a 59-36 win over Stevenson in MAC Commonwealth play. “They make it real easy on me. They’re the ones that are getting open. They’re the ones that are making the shots. All I’ve got to do is make a pass.”
Ireland has 546 career assists and counting, besting the old record of 543 set by Ally Ferrucci of Vineland, N.J. from 2011-16.
Ireland set the Widener singleseason record with 197 assists last year.
Now, if only she could recall which pass it was. The announcement of her accomplishment came when she was shooting free throws.
“It must have been the play before that,” Ireland said. “I think it was a pass to my roommate Mackenzie McCracken. She was in the corner, I passed it to her and she made a jump shot inside the arc. I think that was the play.”
The Pride (17-3, 9-2) has a chance to control its destiny. It trails league leaders Messiah and Albright. The Pride plays Messiah Friday and Albright the following week. HAVERFORD 65, DICKINSON 48 >> Anna-Sophia Capizzi scored a game-high 28 points for the Fords (15-3, 12-1) in the Centennial Conference game. PSU-BRANDYWINE 72, PSU-HAZLETON 68 >> Ridley product Dana D’Ambrosio scored 11 of her 18 points to spark host Brandywine to a decisive 29-15 run in the second half. Madison D’Ambrosio (12 points) and Amanda Floyd scored 12 points each, Nikki Velez 11. GETTYSBURG 78, SWARTHMORE 62 >> Faith Nation tallied 21 points for the Garnet (11-8, 8-6), who came up short against the 25th-ranked Bullets (18-1, 14-0) in Centennial Conference play.
FORDHAM 62, LASALLE 45 >> Claire Jacobs led the Explorers with 11 points.
PENN 66 DARTMOUTH 33 >> Phoebe Sterb and Kayla Padilla scored 15 points each in the Ivy League win for the Quakers (11-5, 1-2), who went on a 29-0 run.
CABRINI 67, NEUMANN 44 >> Lannon Kate scored 17 points, Ashley Tutzauer 16 for Cabrini (15-5, 7-0) in the Atlantic East Conference game. Terea Hunt had 16 points for the Knights (5-14,1-6).
Men’s Basketball
Swarthmore 74 continued its perfect season with a 74-70 win over Gettysburg 70.
The No. 1-ranked Garnet (19-0,
12-0) clinched a berth in the Centennial Conference playoffs with Nate Shafer scoring 19 points, Vinny DeAngelo (Sun Valley) 14.
The visiting Garnet shot just 38.8 percent from the floor. Abass Sallah iced the game with a pair of critical free throws.
EASTERN 73, WILKES 70 >> At Wilkes-Barre, Michael Bowlers scored five of his 16 points, grabbed six rebounds and took charge in overtime to lead the Eagles (12-7, 7-1) to the MAC Freedom victory. Draig Ruff had 15 points, Clifton Adams and Gabe Perez 14 and 13 points. CABRINI 87, NEUMANN 76 >> Justice Gans tallied 22 points, Brice Parks
21 to lead the host Cavaliers (7-13 to victory in the Atlantic East Conference. Nasir Cassel scored 19 points for the Knights (8-12). HAVERFORD 86, DICKINSON 75 >> Jesse Turson, Jack Cork and Nate Torres scored 14 points each to lift the host Fords (14-5).
PSU-HAZLETON 77, PSU-BRANDYWINE
72 >> Andy Kwiatkowski scored 34 points for Brandywine (4-15) in the PSU-Athletic Conference game, helping the Lions whittle a 17-point second-half deficit before fading.