Women's 2006-07 Basketball Recaps

(Scroll down for recaps of each game)

Panthers complete quest for fourth-straight NIC title

ACP 93, Clinton CC 42

Saturday, February 17

The dynasty continues to grow.

Stephanie Alger's 16 points led a typically balanced attack as ACP continued its dominance in the Northern Independence Conference, winning its fourth consecutive championship with a 93-42 victory over Clinton Community College in the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

Freshman Kelly VanValkenburgh scored 15 points (including four of the team's 12 3-pointers), Sarah Gruber scored 14 and Amber Jillson added 13 as the Panthers (15-3) won their 18th consecutive game against NIC teams. ACP has not lost to a conference opponent since January 2004.

Together with the men's NIC title earlier in the day and the men's and women's NIC soccer championships last fall, ACP became the first team in conference history to sweep all four titles in the same academic year.

ACP 64, New Hampshire Tech 47

Sunday, February 11

Kelly VanValkenburgh hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points as ACP bounced back from a tough loss earlier in the week to defeat New Hampshire Technical Institute 64-47 in Concord, N.H.

 

VanValkenburgh also had nine rebounds and led four players in double-figure scoring. Pam Leonardi had 11 points and 10 rebounds, Stefanie Alger had 12 points and six boards and Sarah Gruber scored 11.

 

Although the Panthers (14-3) shot just 32 percent from the field, their stifling defense forced the Capitals into 24 turnovers and 24 percent shooting.

Hamilton College 59, ACP 31

Tuesday, February 6

ACP went cold on the road in the Scott Field House, shooting just 18 percent in a 59-31 loss to Hamilton (box score) that ended the Panthers' eight-game winning streak.

The Panthers (13-3) hit just 10 of 57 shots, including a 1-for-16 performance from 3-point range. Stefanie Alger led ACP with eight points. Karrah Madden had 10 rebounds, including seven of the Panthers' 18 offensive boards.

Pumla Sathula led Hamilton (14-5) with 14 points and 11 rebounds. It was the fifth-straight win for the Continentals.

ACP 77, Green Mountain College 52

Sunday, February 4

For the second time in three days, ACP cruised to a home victory, this time over Green Mountain College 77-52 for its eighth-straight win.

Pam Leonardi continued her recent tear with 22 points, and the Panthers (13-2) used their strong press to hold the Bobcats to 21 percent shooting in the first half on the way to a 35-19 lead.

Stefanie Alger scored 13 points for ACP and Amber Jillson added 12. The Panthers were 16-for-21 from the foul line.

ACP 90, Hudson Valley CC 49

Friday, February 2

Pam Leonardi scored 18 points and Karrah Madden added 15 as ACP easily handled its rival from across the Hudson River in a 90-49 victory over Hudson Valley Community College in the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

It was the seventh consecutive victory for the Panthers (12-2), who also got a career-high 12 points from Cassie White and 12 from Kelly VanValkenburgh.

"It really helped to come out strong right from the start in this game," said coach Rich Jones. "And it's always nice to get a win against another team from the area."

ACP 95, Word of Life 32

Wednesday, January 31

Pam Leonardi scored 20 points to lead ACP to yet another Northern Independence Conference victory, 95-32 over Word of Life Bible Institute in the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

Kelly VanValkenburgh scored 17 points and Karrah Madden had nine as every member of the team got in the scoring column. The Panthers (11-2 overall, 3-0 NIC) won their sixth-straight game overall and their 17 th straight in the conference dating to January 2004.

With the victory, the Panthers clinched the top seed in the NIC and will host the conference championship game Saturday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. as they seek their fourth NIC title in a row.

ACP 74, St. Joseph's College (N.Y.) 56

Saturday, January 27

After last season's heart-breaking buzzer-beat loss to St. Joseph's College on the road in Brooklyn, ACP came out on fire and posted a 74-56 victory - it's fifth in a row - in the friendly confines of the Albert M. White Gymnasium (box score).

"We didn't play that well down there last season," said coach Rich Jones. "We always seem to have a battle with St. Joseph 's. Thankfully we were able to hit some shots and came away with a good victory. Pam (Leonardi) and Amber (Jillson) really stepped up big for us today."

Jillson led the Panthers (10-2) with a season-high 18 points to go along with eight assists while Leonardi added 15 points, including three 3-point baskets. Kelly VanValkenburgh continued her strong play with 12 points and Chrissy Aiossa was the fourth Panther in double figures with 10.

ACP 62, Clinton CC 50

Wednesday, January 24

ACP responded to its toughest Northern Independence Conference test in nearly three full seasons on the road at Clinton Community College.

Tied at halftime, the Panthers used a 16-3 run early in the second half and an 8-0 surge later in the half to pull away for a hard-earned 62-50 victory, its 16 th straight in the NIC dating. The win, ACP's fourth in a row this season, secured home-court advantage for the conference championship game February 17.

The game started with a great pace and both teams playing with a lot of intensity, trading bucket for bucket, and steal for steal.


Karrah Madden led the Panthers (9-2 overall, 2-0 NIC) with 20 points. Held scoreless in the first half, Kelly VanValkenburgh scored 14 in the second half to help ACP pull away. Nicole Dirolf led the Cougars (9-9, 2-1) with 17 points.

ACP 82, Davis College 49

Monday, January 22

After six weeks off it was business as usual for ACP.

Kelly VanValkenburgh scored 17 points and Stefanie Alger tossed in 14 in front of strong contingent of friends and family near her hometown of Norwich , N.Y. , to lead the Panthers to an 82-49 win over Davis College.

ACP (8-2) built a 41-28 lead in the first half and never was challenged. Karrah Madden scored 12 for the Panthers and Jessica Hammersley led Davis with 16.

"We were a little rusty at first, but that was expected after being off for more than a month," said coach Rich Jones. "It was a good win for us before we get back into the swing of things this semester."

ACP 84, Adirondack CC 49

Thursday, December 7

ACP headed into the mid-season break with its second straight convincing victory, an 84-49 decision against Adirondack Community College in the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

A season-high six players scored in double figures for the Panthers (7-2), led by Pam Leonardi and Stefanie Alger with 15 points apiece. Leonardi had three of ACP's 10 3-point baskets and added a game-high 14 rebounds.

Karrah Madden had 11 points and Amber Jillson, Kim Ray and Kelly Van Valkenburgh each scored 10; Jillson also added eight assists. Kelly Olsen led the Timberwolves with 16 points.

ACP 91, Paul Smith's College 33

Tuesday, December 5

Pam Leonardi scored 18 points to lead four players in double figures as ACP rebounded from its loss in the Keystone College tournament championship game with a 91-33 win at Paul Smith's College.

Leonardi scored 14 points in the first half as the Panthers (6-2) had their highest-scoring half of the season with 56 points. Cassie White finished with a career-high 15 points, Stefanie Alger had 13 and Chrissy Aiossa added 11. Sarah Gruber and Amber Jillson both chipped in nine points. Anna Kostuc led Paul Smith's, a former member of the Northern Independence Conference, with 15 points.

"It's a tough trip going three hours north for a weekday game, but it was nice to have the game in hand early," said coach Rich Jones. "After two tough games over the weekend, we needed one like this."

Panthers fall in Keystone title game

Friday and Saturday, December 1-2

Championship Game

Elmira College 69, ACP 48

Heading into the championship game of the Keystone College Hilton Classic, ACP coach Rich Jones knew his team would be facing a tall order against Elmira College, literally.

"They have four or five players 6-feet and taller," said Jones. "They are big and athletic."

Elmira was able to use this height to own the paint as it pulled away from ACP with a 69-48 victory (box score). Kelly Van Valkenburgh, the hero from the opening game, was held to seven points but still was named to the All-Tournament Team for her all-around performance in both games.

The Panthers (5-2) were held to 25 percent shooting, their lowest percentage of the season. Pam Leonardi led the team with 12 points, including 7-for-7 from the foul line. Elmira outscored ACP 24-10 in the paint and claimed a 48-38 rebounding advantage.

Opening Round

ACP 77, Keystone College 74 (OT)

The first game of the Keystone College Hilton Classic proved to be the best of the entire tournament as ACP came back to beat the host team in overtime, 77-74 (box score).

ACP came out cold from the field and the Giants threatened to pull away, but the Panthers (5-1) just would not give up. After being down the entire game, ACP fought back to within one point and had the ball with 20 seconds left in regulation. Coach Rich Jones called a timeout and drew up a play for freshman Kelly Van Valkenburgh.

Van Valkenburgh made a backdoor cut and received a beautiful pass from Sarah Gruber. Van Valkenburgh made the shot and was fouled, converting the three-point play to put ACP up two points with its first lead of the entire game. Keystone made two free throws with two seconds left to send the game into overtime, but ACP took over in the extra session and was able to hold on for the victory.

"I'm just so proud of this team," said Jones. "We were down the entire game, and our shots weren't falling but we hung in there for the victory, just a great team effort. This is one of the best victories we have had in recent memory."

Van Valkenburgh led the Panthers with 19 points and nine rebounds, including 10-of-13 from the foul line, while Karrah Madden had 16 points and eight rebounds and Sarah Gruber added 12 points.

ACP 70, Southern Vermont College 49

Wednesday, November 29

Pam Leonardi scored 18 points to lead three players in double figures as ACP defeated
Southern Vermont 70-49 at the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

Leonardi scored 12 points in the first half, including two 3-pointers, as the Panthers (4-1). She also finished with eight rebounds.

Fellow freshmen and Colonie High School graduates Kelly Van Valkenburgh and Karrah Madden scored 17 and 10 points, respectively. Sharika Dow led all scorers with 25 points for Southern Vermont.

ACP third at Buffalo State tournament

Saturday and Sunday, November 18-19

Consolation Game

ACP 65, Hilbert College 41

Freshman Kelly VanValkenburgh scored 20 points to lead ACP to a 65-41 victory over Hilbert College (box score) in the third-place game at the Betty Abgott Invitational at Buffalo State College.

Pam Leonardi and Stefanie Alger each had 11 points. Leonardi also grabbed eight rebounds and was named to the All-Tournament Team. The Panthers (3-1) won easily despite shooting 35 percent from the field. The full-court pressure from ACP forced Hilbert into 38 turnovers.

Opening Round

Medaille College 73, ACP 53

In the first game of the tournament, ACP dropped a 73-53 decision to Medaille College (box score), the 24th-ranked Division III team in the nation. Medaille harassed the Panthers into 26 turnovers and 28 percent shooting.

Pam Leonardi led ACP with 11 points and eight rebounds. Karrah Madden had seven points and six boards.

ACP 71, College of St. Joseph 58

Tuesday, November 14

ACP frustrated the College of St. Joseph with pressure defense from start to finish in a 71-58 road win in Rutland, Vt.

The Panthers (2-0) hounded the Fighting Saints (1-2) into 35 turnovers, including 19 in the first half as ACP built a 10-point lead. Freshman center Karrah Madden led ACP with 20 points. Pam Leonardi scored 14 and freshman Kelly VanValkenburgh had 13, including three 3-point baskets.

"We just could not get into a flow, but that was to Albany Pharmacy's credit," said College of St. Joseph coach Rob Larson.

ACP 87, Word of Life 30

Monday, November 6

ACP began its quest for a fourth-straight Northern Independence Conference championship in rousing fashion with an 87-30 victory against conference foe Word of Life Bible Institute at the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

Pam Leonardi, the team's top returning scorer from last season, led the team with 16 points, including three 3-point baskets. In her first college game, Kelly VanValkenburgh added 13 points and also had three 3-pointers. It was ACP's 15th consecutive ACP victory, dating to January 2004.

Right from the start, ACP (1-0 overall, 1-0 NIC) used its relentless full-court pressure to frustrate the visitors into turnovers. The Panthers converted many of the turnovers into easy baskets. Coach Rich Jones was happy with the way his team played in the season opener.

"We got off to a good start, and it's always nice to open the season with a victory," said Jones. "Especially a victory in conference."

Freshman Kim Ray was the third Panther in double figures with 10 points while Stefanie Alger and Karrah Madden had nine points each and Ashley Smith had eight. Jamie Goodman, Jaclyn Hummel and Emily Phillips each had six points for Word of Life.

Rita E. Leighton '86 Alumnae Game

ACP 83, Alumnae 43

Saturday, October 28

In the second annual Rita E. Leighton '86 Alumnae Game, freshman Kelly VanValkenburgh poured in 26 points to lead ACP to an 83-43 victory over the alumnae team in the Albert M. White Gymnasium.

Chrissy Aiossa scored 19 points for the Panthers, who are seeking their fourth straight Northern Independence Conference championship this season.

Sixth-year Doctor of Pharmacy candidate Randi Maurer, who completed her ACP career in 2005-06 as the school's all-time scoring leader with 1,621 points, led the alumnae team with 15 points. Her sister, Jessica '06, added six points. Also playing for the alumnae team were Stacy Bruyns '96 and Kelly Doan '94.