Mesa, Ariz. - After several months of fundraising dating back to last season, the Lesley University women's basketball team finally completed their holiday season trip to Mesa, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix, to play in the Grand Canyon Classic.  The Lady Lynx played in two games during the week-long trip against The College of New Jersey and Plattsburgh State University.

TCNJ 59, Lesley 35

Lesley faced off against a TCNJ squad that defeated the #12 team in the nation, Marymount University, just two weeks earlier.  The Lynx lost 59-35 as a strong defensive effort from the Lions forced 29 turnovers in the game. 

Georgia Saltzman (Lynn, Mass.) was the leading scorer for the Lynx as the junior hit 4-of-7 shots from the floor including a three-point attempt for nine total points in just 13 minutes of play off the bench.  Brianne Caira (Pelham, N.H.) gave a solid effort with eight rebounds, three assists, and a block.

TCNJ's Alexandra Gregorek (Mahwah, N.J.) tallied a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench to pace the Lions.  Kelsey Kutch (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Alyssa Michella (Washington Twp., N.J.) also recorded double-digit point totals with 12 and 10, respectively.

Kutch also had game-highs in assists and steals with four a piece.

Lesley 61, Plattsburgh 69

Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, N.Y.) was one rebound shy of a double-double as the sophomore forward finished the game against Plattsburgh State with 14 points and nine rebounds.  Wechsler was 8-of-10 from the charity stripe and she also chipped in with three steals and two assists.

In a late game effort to trim the Cardinals' lead, the Lynx were extremely accurate from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-9 attempts. 

Plattsburgh was led by Erin Silberberg (Staten Island, N.Y.) who scored a game-high 19 points.  Complementing her effort were teammates Kerri Salisbury (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Taylor Amarando (Niskayuna, N.Y.) who scored 14 and 11 points, respectively.  Senior Vanessa Arthurton (Troy, N.Y.) was a presence on the boards as she grabbed 14 rebounds, eight of which were offensive.

For her efforts at the Grand Canyon Classic, Wechsler was recognized as a member of the All-Tournament Team.  She finished the week averaged 10.0 points/g, 7.0 rebs/g, 2.0 steals/g, and 1.0 assists/g.

"I was extremely impressed with the leadership and all-out effort from Lani Cabral-Pini," praised Head Coach Tom Fay.  "She was a bright spot and is going to be a catalyst for our conference title hopes.  It was also nice to see Georgia Saltzman get her stroke back as she has worked very hard at practice."

With their 2008 schedule behind them, the 1-7 Lady Lynx will look forward to one more non-conference game before taking on their New England Collegiate Conference schedule.  On January 8 at 8:00 pm, Lesley will take on Suffolk University at home.

To learn more about the Lesley University women's basketball team, please visit their website.

Contact:          Rob Palardy
                        Sports Information Director
                        Lesley University
                        617.349.8627 (office)
                        617.349.8640 (fax)
                        rpalardy@lesley.edu