Espinosa, Pledger Shine in 69-56 Win Over Salem

RALEIGH, NC -- Freshman guard Ashley Espinosa (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) scored a game-high 21 points off the bench in her collegiate debut and junior forward Latisha Pledger (Chesapeake, VA/Indian River) brought down a career-best 22 rebounds as the Washington College women's basketball team opened its 2012-13 season with a 69-56 victory over Salem College tonight in the first round of William Peace University's Jackie Ammons Memorial Tournament in Raleigh, NC. 

The Spirits held a 17-15 lead with five and one-half minutes to go in the first half before a 9-0 run, capped off by a pair of free throws from junior forward Erin Fitzgerald (Greensboro, NC/Bishop McGuiness) with 3:20 on the clock gave the Shorewomen a 24-17 advantage.Washington took a 30-22 lead into halftime.

Salem opened the second half with a 13-3 run as Bria Patterson put the Spirits back in front, 35-33, on a three-pointer with 13:46 to go. Washington countered with an 11-0 run, capped off by a free throw by Espinosa with 10:25 left. The Shorewomen led by at least five points the rest of the way, building their biggest lead at 68-52 on a pair of free throws by junior guard Kelly Mitchell (Laurel, MD/Academy of the Holy Cross) with 1:15 left.

Espinosa's 21 points came on 6-for-9 shooting from the field and 9-for-13 shooting at the free-throw line. Pledger's 22 rebounds exceeded her previous career high by three. She also scored nine points in the win. Mitchell added 15 points for the Shorewomen, while freshman guard Dee Maddox (Virginia Beach, VA/Norfolk Collegiate) scored 10 points off the bench. Fitzgerald finished with seven points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.

Satavia Tayor paced Salem with 14 points. Jasmine Shabazz added 12 points and six boards in the loss.

Washington shot 40% from the field and 72% from the line in the game, while Salem shot just 25% and 61%, respectively. Washington also held a commanding 63-43 advantage on the glass, but did turn the ball over 31 times to Salem's 15. 

The Shorewomen will take on host William Peace, a 68-58 winner over Hollins in tonight's other first round game, in tomorrow's championship game of the Jackie Ammons Memorial Tournament at 3:00 p.m.