Basketball Spotlight: Devils Rally from 20-point Second Half Deficit to Defeat Post University Saturday, December 4, 2004 By Bob Heller USIP Sports Information Director The USP women’s basketball team played like a team possessed in the second half of their game against Post University, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the host Eagles 75-69. Shelby Rance (So., Central Columbia HS/ Bloomsburg, PA) and Lori Wernik (So., Lower Cape May Regional HS/Cape May, NJ) led the Devils comeback finishing the game with 22 and 19 points respectively. Wernik scored 14 of her 19 points in the second half, connecting on seven of nine shots from the field. Rance had 15 second half points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Joining Rance and Wernik in double figures were Rashanna Edwards (So., West Windsor-Plainsboro HS/Plainsboro, NJ) and Stephanie Watson (Jr., Archbishop Ryan HS/ Warminster, PA) with 10 points apiece. Post led by 16 at the half, 41-25 and opened the second period scoring the first two baskets to take a 45-25 lead one minute into the period. The Devils then went on a 10-2 run over the next 2:27 to cut the deficit to 12, 47-35 at the 16:33 mark. The Devils still trailed by 13, 56-43 with 12:28 to go when they hit stride, going on a 15-4 run to pull within three 61-58 with 7:40 remaining. Wernik helped key the rally with six points while Rance added four. After Post’s Tadj Williams made a free throw to make the score 62-58, Wernik pulled the Devils within two with a baseline jumper at the seven minute mark, making the score 62-60. The Devils followed with a 6-2 run to take their first lead of the game 66-64 with 4:38 to go. Edwards had a basket at the 5:59 mark followed by a Wernik put back at 5:25. Rance followed with a basket at the 4:48 mark to give the Devils the lead 66-64. USP hit seven free throws down the stretch and Rance added a layup of a steal with 25 seconds to go, helping provide the winning margin of six points and complete the comeback. The Devils 20-point deficit was not their biggest in the game, Post led the Devils by 25 points 35-10 with 5:37 left in the first half before the Devils embarked on a 15-6 run to close out the half, trailing by 16, 41-25. The Devils are now 3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play. USP returns home to take on Wilmington College on Tuesday, December 7, 2004.