Pittsburgh, PA - Renee Rawding suffered through the most frustrating basketball season of her career a year ago. After only four games, she was forced to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury. On Monday night, Rawding returned to the Geneva line-up in the season opener as she helped make Renee Drake′s coaching debut a success in a 70-60 victory over Carlow University at the LaRoche College tournament.
Drake, who took over for legendary coach Ron Galbreath two months ago, began her career as Geneva′s interim head coach with a victory against former NAIA foe Carlow University. Rawding led the way with 20 points in the victory including a 12-14 effort from the foul line and 4-7 shooting from the field.
Geneva and Carlow battled to a 33-33 tie after the first 20 minutes, but it was the Golden Tornadoes that took control down the stretch to pull out the first victory of the season. Beth DeLuca played a key role in the victory with 17 points including a 4-6 effort from three-point range despite battling through foul trouble. Alyse Scarsella was Geneva′s only other player to reach double figures with 11 points and a team best eight rebounds in the victory.
The Golden Tornadoes shot 45% from the field in the second half and held Carlow to only nine field goals in the final 20 minutes of action. Nikki Becker led the Celtics with 14 points while Lauren Roscoe scored 11 in the loss.
Geneva will have a quick turnaround after the first action of the season as they will face off against host LaRoche College on Tuesday night. The Golden Tornadoes return to Metheny Fieldhouse this weekend for the home opener against Point Park University on Saturday at 8 pm.
Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College′s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
