FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A recording-setting season came to a close on Friday for the Johnson & Wales University women's basketball team. After receiving the first NCAA Tournament at-large bid in school history, the Wildcats dropped a 79-49 decision to 16th-ranked Rochester.

Records:
Johnson & Wales: 24-4
Rochester: 21-5 

JWU Statistical Leaders:
Bobbie Whitehead: 21 points, 5 rebounds
Raquel Pederzani: 4 points, 4 steals, 3 assists.

The Lead:
The Wildcats struggled from the floor as they shot a season-low 24.3 percent (18-of-74) from the field. The Yellowjackets held a 56-34 rebounding advantage and were also 19-of-26 from the free throw line, compared to 11-of-18 by Johnson & Wales.

Of Note:
Johnson & Wales went to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row after qualifying for the first time in 2015. The Wildcats received just the second at-large bid in GNAC history. The 24 wins are the most in school history and JWU started the year with a school record 7-0 mark.

Nearly half of the Wildcats scoring came from junior Bobbie Whitehead (Brooklyn, NY) as she scored a team-high 21 points. She was 7-of-18 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the line. She also grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Guard Raquel Pederzani (Coventry, RI) was limited to four points, but did add four rebounds, four steals and three assists.                  

A Whitehead jumper at the 6:11 mark of the first half pulled the Wildcats within 4-6. Unfortunately, the hosts outscored Johnson & Wales 19-7 the rest of the quarter to take a 25-11 lead after the opening 10 minutes. Rochester held a 43-17 lead at the half.

Johnson & Wales should be poised for another NCAA Tournament run. The Wildcats bring all five starters back for the 2016-17 season as well major reserve players.