WORCESTER, MASS. 11/16/07 – Sarah Roderigue (Oakland, Maine) scored 22 points on 9-11 shooting to lead the Clark University women’s basketball team to a 69-46 victory over Worcester State in a non-conference game to headline the Worcester Tip-Off Tournament at the Kneller Athletic Center Friday night.
       
With the victory, Clark (1-0) advances to the championship round of the Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday at 3p.m. Worcester State (0-1) plays in the consolation game at 1p.m. the same day.
       
The Cougars gained a lead in the first half when Katelyn Petty
(Worcester, Mass.) and Kristin Healy (Brookline, Mass.) sank back-to-back shots to start an 18-0 run that took 6:12 off the clock. Utilizing a balanced offense, six different players contributed points during the streak. Petty capped the scoring onslaught with a bucket and a free throw to put Clark up 26-9.
       
Clark’s defense held Worcester State to just one three-pointer in the
half. Roderigue led the scoring in the period with 15 points, while
Lindsay DelleChiaie (Leominster, Mass.) paced the Lancers with 11. Clark entered the half with a 46-25 lead.
       
When play resumed the Lancers kept pace with Clark, but could not cut into the lead. Three buckets in as many minutes, including a three-point shot, from DelleChiaie kept the lead at 21 points (55-34). Clark slowly stretched their point margin, however, and a lay-up by Shinikwa James (Bronx, N.Y.) with just under five to play gave the Cougars a 65-41advantage to seal the victory.
       
The Cougars dominated the boards 49-29 in the match. Worcester State committed 17 turn-overs to Clark’s 20.
       
Clark will face the winner of the Friday night match-up between Nichols College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute at 3p.m. on Saturday. Worcester State will face the losing team at 1p.m. the same day.