Hessling Snaps Single-Game Rebounding Record; Pacers Prevail over Macs

Box Score Immaculata, Pa. - Senior forward Natasha Hessling took sole possession of the single-game rebounding school record to lead Marywood University to a 65-54 victory over Immaculata University Monday in Atlantic East Conference women's basketball action. The Pacers move to third place with a 7-10 overall and 3-2 conference mark.

Hessling finished with 22 rebounds to break a record that she has twice tied earlier this season. Fresh off her seventh conference player of the week award, she produced her 10th double-double of the season with 13 points. In addition, Hessling tied the single-game defensive rebounds record, previously achieved in 1996 by Theresa Hillman against Cedar Crest, with 17.

Hessling had twiced tied the previous high of 20 this season against Wesleyan (Conn.) and Wesley. The mark was also set by Carly Leitzel '14 in 2011. In just this season alone, she owns six of the top seven single-game rebounding performances in school history.

Aryah Aungst led the Pacers with 21 points and five assists. Aungst made 7 of 10 from the field, including three long-ranged shots.

Four Pacers reached double figures. Emily Theobald and Kilie Wyers both had 12 points.

After suffering a 16-point run, Marywood trailed by as many as 10 in the second quarter. The Pacers came back from a seven-point disadvantage at halftime.

Falling behind early, the Pacers went on a 13-2 run to take a 15-9 lead in the first quarter. Kilie Wyers jump-started the offense with a 3-pointer and took the Pacers' first lead of the game on another shot from beyond the arc. After a Macs' field goal, Aungst totaled five straight points on two possessions for a 15-9 lead.

The Pacers' good fortunes were short-lived; the Mighty Macs tacked on 16 unanswered points in a four-minute span that carried into the first possession of the second quarter. Lauren Carrafa made a 3-pointer to take a 25-15 lead for the Mighty Macs with 9:35. The Pacers crawled back but Annie Kohutka capped the first half with a layup to head into the break with a 34-27 advantage.

Coach Gabby Holko schemed a seven-point run fresh out of the break, culminating in a Hessling layup from Alyssa Olson to tie the contest at 34 apiece with 6:11 left in the third quarter. Theresa Kearney made Immaculata's first basket of the second half to reclaim the lead. Three minutes of scoreless action resulted in a pair of Theobald free throw shots that tied the game at 36 apiece. Hessling swished a jumper from Theobald at 2:06 to give the visiting Pacers the advantage. Aungst sunk a 3-pointer just before the buzzer to end the third quarter with a 43-38 Pacers' advantage.

The two IHM institutions evened the score three times in the fourth quarter. After Kelly squared the game at 45 apiece at the charity stripe, Morgan Shamro made a free throw to take a 46-45 advantage with 7:04 left. Wyers followed suit with a pair of free throws for a three-point lead, and Theobald hit a jumper for a 50-45 lead with 5:14 to go. IU's Natalie Ayoub returned it to a one-possession game on the next possession. Hessling hit a jump shot with just over four minutes remaining that ignited a seven-point swing that pushed the Pacers' lead to double digits.

Marywood shot 38.8 percent from the field to the Macs' 30.3 percent. Thanks to Hessling, the Pacers outrebounded the home team by a 43-37 margin. Marywood's fast-paced offense was brilliant, outscoring Immaculata by a 25-6 ratio. The Pacers also had a 21-11 advantage in points off of turnovers. Holko's squad displayed improvements at the line with a 80.8 percent mark on 26 attempts.

Kearney led the Mighty Macs with 15 points, followed by Kelly's 10 points. Brielle Rigo secured a team-best 10 rebounds.

Marywood welcomes rival Gwynedd Mercy University on Wednesday at 6 pm.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Aryah Aungst: G; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#35 Natasha Hessling: C/F; 5' 9"; Senior

#25 Alyssa Olson: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#20 Emily Theobald: F; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#24 Morgan Shamro: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

#3 Kilie Wyers: G; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Aryah Aungst
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: G

#35 Natasha Hessling
: 5' 9"; Senior
: C/F

#25 Alyssa Olson
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#20 Emily Theobald
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: F

#24 Morgan Shamro
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

#3 Kilie Wyers
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: G