Marist Red Foxes Women Down Canisius 78-53

BUFFALO – The Marist women’s basketball team wrapped up its Buffalo swing with a decisive 78-53 win over the Canisius Golden Griffins Sunday afternoon at the Koessler Athletic Center.

Alana Gilmer and Rebekah Hand led the way for the Red Foxes as Gilmer tied her career-high in points with 27 to go along with seven rebounds while Hand scored 15 points. With the win the Red Foxes improve to 12-10 overall and 8-2 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play while Canisius drops to 6-15 overall and 4-6 in conference.

The Red Foxes jumped out to a 13-3 lead thanks to two triples from Grace Vander Weide, the last one forced a Canisius timeout just four minutes into the game.

Alana Gilmer scored 11 points in the first quarter on 4-for-5 shooting as the Red Foxes shot over 60% from the field and hit 5-of-their-7 attempts from three to lead 27-19 after one.

The Red Foxes used a 14-2 run over 3:50 in the second quarter to pull ahead 43-26 with just over two minutes to go in the half.

Marist shot an even 50% in the first half and held Canisius to sub-30% shooting and entered the locker rooms leading 46-29.

The Red Foxes would hold Canisius without a field goal for a near four minute stretch in the third, building their lead to as high as 22 points.

A three pointer in the corner by Grace Vander Weide broke a near three minute scoreless drought for the Red Foxes and pushed the lead back to 61-44 with just over two minutes to go in the third quarter.

Marist would open up its largest lead of the game at 25 with 43 seconds left to go.

Marist will return home after its three games in a week road stretch to host Iona on Thursday, February 1st. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.