From University of Rochester Athletics
Fueled by a 11-0 run to start the fourth quarter, the University of Rochester defeated Stevenson University, 65-45, in the semifinals of the Women's Chuck Resler Tournament at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Friday night.
Al Leslie led the Yellowjackets (2-0) with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Lauren Deming contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. Three other players scored six points apiece.
Caitlin Roy led Stevenson (0-1) with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Stephanie Martinez had eight points for the Mustangs. Sara Tarbert scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds.
Rochester will play Ohio Northern University in Saturday's championship game at 6 pm. Ohio Northern defeated Saint Vincent, 95-47. It was the highest point total for a women's team in the Resler Tournament since 1999-00 when Denison scored 103 points.
With Rochester nursing a 44-38 lead through three periods, Sarah Kaminsky started the decisive spurt with a three-point goal. Four players scored in the run: Deming made two free throws, Jillian Silversri sank two jumpers, and Leslie made a layup. That extended the Rochester lead to 55-38 with 5:43 left in the game.
Deming scored four points in the last minute of the first quarter to give Rochester a 15-12 lead. The Yellowjackets stretched that lead to seven, 21-14, in the second quarter. Stevenson closed to within one point twice, the last time on a layup by Tarbert (23-22 with 2:32 left). Kelsey Hurley made a layup and Kara Kibling drained a three-pointer. Rochester led by seven 32-25, at the half.
The Mustangs scored 10 points off Rochester turnovers in the third period but could only get as close as six, 44-38, after three.