This week's eye-opening performances belonged to Marist College junior Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg) and Villanova senior Maria Getty (Chaminade Julienne). Allenspach scored a career-high 26 points Monday, Jan. 18, in a victory over Siena and Getty did the same Thursday in a win against George Washington.
Nineteen of Allenspach’s points came in the second half as Marist, steaming toward a fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, won its 10th straight and stayed unbeaten (6-0) in the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Getty drained six 3-pointers, also a career best, in the Villanova win. She added three assists and a game-high four steals.
Allenspach is Marist’s third-leading scorer (14.6) and rebounder (4.9). She leads the team in assists, ranks second in steals and is far and away the team’s top 3-point threat, knocking them down at a 48-percent clip (34-of-71).
Earlier this season, Allenspach was named MAAC player of the week after scoring 21 points and grabbing a career-high nine rebounds against Northeastern. In that game, all of her points came in the second half, and she made all six of her 3-point attempts.
Getty leads Villanova in assists, steals and 3-point shooting (36-of-96).
• And then there are: Senior guard Courtney Reed (Fort Loramie), who has started all 18 games for Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne and leads the team with 22 steals. ... Lynzee Johnson (Bellbrook), Allenspach's teammate, a key contributor off the bench for Marist. ... Mikaela Reuf (Beavercreek), who isn't playing much yet at Stanford (40 minutes in 13 games) but can count on a trip to the NCAA tournament as a freshman. ... Fifth-year senior Aisha Jefferson (CJ), averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds for Michigan State.
Campus tour
• Justin Kronauge (Centerville)
tied Devin Mullings (2003-07) for fifth on Ohio State’s career singles wins list with 116 in helping the No. 3-ranked Buckeyes begin their dual tennis season with shutout wins over Xavier and Butler on Wednesday. Kronauge won both his matches in straight sets.
• Dwayne Sims (Trotwood) had eight points, seven rebounds and two assists for North Carolina Central University on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 46-44 basketball loss at Savannah State. The Eagles have lost 36 in a row on the road.
• At the Kentucky Invitational track meet a week ago, Kentucky freshman Walter Luttrell (Dayton Christian) finished 12th in the 3,000 meters (8:32.62) and Georgia freshman Danny Neff (Vandalia Butler) placed fifth in the mile in a season-best 4:13.26.
• Ohio Northern swimmer Ryan Bender (Centerville) placed first in all of his events last Saturday vs. Mount Union. Bender won the 200 butterfly, the 200 backstroke and the 400 IM (by 13 seconds), and anchored the 400 free relay. The team win gave the Polar Bears at least a share of the Ohio Athletic Conference title.
• Danny Bruner (Alter), a 6-foot-9 senior forward, is averaging 12.9 points and 4.3 rebounds for Division II Fairmont State (12-1) in West Virginia.
Have news of a local athlete in college? E-mail smcclelland@DaytonDaily News.com or call (937) 225-2408.
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