Box Score AMHERST, N.Y. - The Shawnee State University women's basketball team used an 18-8 run over the first seven minutes of the second half to secure a 57-39 victory over Daemen College here today in third-round action of the 2012 Knee Center of WNY Tip-Off Classic.

Shawnee State, which is ranked second nationally in the NAIA Division 1 preseason poll, improved to 3-0. Daemen (6-1) saw its season-opening six-game winning streak come to an end.

It marked the third game in three days for both teams and Shawnee State's depth played a factor, as the Bears posted an 23-3 edge in points off the bench. Daemen, which was coming off a double-overtime victory the night before, shot just 27-percent (17-for-62) from the field and connected on just 2-of-17 three-point attempts.

Led by 6-foot-2 junior Diane Abbady (Ivory Coast, West Africa) and 6-foot senior Schera Sampson (Austin, Texas), Shawnee State dominated play down low and finished with a 57-39 edge in rebounding. SSU snagged 16 offensive rebounds, which resulted in 12 second-chance points for the Bears. Abbady finished with 18 points and 19 rebounds, while Sampson added seven points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and four steals.

Senior Chelsea Andorka (Canton, Ohio./Notre Dame College) paced Daemen with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and five steals.

The Bears held a 33-22 lead at the break and the teams traded baskets over the first five minutes of the second half before SSU ran off six-straight points for a 16-point advantage. A jumper by junior Alannah Sheets (Leon, W. Va.) capped the run and gave SSU a 44-28 lead with 13:09 to play. Daemen cut the lead to 12 points following a layup by Andorka with 10:16 left, but SSU responded with an 8-1 run to secure the win.

Shawnee State opened up an early 13-5 lead, before Daemen answered with an 8-2 run and cut the lead to two, 15-13. Shawnee State regained a five-point advantage following two free throws by Abbady with just under seven minutes left in the half, and the teams traded baskets for the next five four minutes.
The Bears led by six, 26-20, with just over two minutes left in the half and scored seven of the final nine points of the half. A three-pointer by junior Jessica Vaidalez (Pinconning, Mich.) with 22 seconds left closed out the first-half scoring and gave the Bears a 33-22 lead.

Daemen is idle until Saturday (11/10) when it hosts Point Park University at 3 p.m.

2012 Knee Center of WNY Tip-Off Classic

First Round - Nov. 2
Shawnee State 77, Ryerson 52
Daemen 77, Guelph 72

Second Round-Nov. 3
Shawnee State 71, Guelph 62
Daemen 86, Ryerson 83 (2 OT)

Third Round- Nov. 4
Shawnee State 57, Daemen 39