Nov. 19, 2005
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Final Stats
Davie, Fla. - The Navy women's basketball team sliced a 13-point second-half deficit down to four several times, but could climb no closer in an eventual 88-79 loss to Monmouth, Saturday night in Davie, Fla. Both teams saw their records move to 1-1 on the young season with the decision.
Both teams shot the ball extremely well in the first half, with Monmouth shooting 55.6-percent from the field and Navy 50-percent, as the Hawks took a 54-45 lead into halftime. Monmouth's nine-point advantage grew to 13 points four minutes into the second half, but Navy slowly cut into the deficit and a free throw by Lauren Skrel (Sr., Walnut Creek, Calif.) with 8:49 left to play pulled Navy to within four points at 73-69.
The Hawks went on a 5-0 run over the next 50 seconds to increase their lead back to nine points, but soon back-to-back layups by Skrel cut the Monmouth advantage back down to four points at 79-75 with just over five minutes left to play.
The teams traded field goals on their next possessions, but Navy would miss its final four field goal attempts and turn the ball over twice, while Monmouth connected on three shots from the field and a pair of free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
"Our defense let us down in the first half," said Navy head coach Tom Marryott. "We allowed too many layups and open looks. Also, we are starting a bad habit with falling behind by too many points at halftime. We need to break that habit."
Carly Meyer (Jr., Orlando, Fla.) led Navy with 20 points and eight rebounds, with Ashley Pelzek (Sr., East Longmeadow, Mass.) adding 19 points. Skrel also tallied nine points, five assists and five caroms.
"I thought Ashley had a very productive first weekend of the season," said Marryott. "We felt she could score, and she has, but what has most impressed me has been her play on defense.
"Lauren Skrel also has done a nice job of running our offense over our two games."
The Midshipmen will play host to North Carolina A&T Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the home opener for the team.
