ASHLEY GRIMM SETS SCHOOL RECORD FOR CAREER ASSISTS AS CLARION BEATS EAST STROUDSBURG 80-67
Grimm records first triple-double in the victory while setting record
EAST STROUDSBURG – Clarion University senior point guard Ashley Grimm (Sugarloaf/Hazelton) became the school’s all-time leading assist giver in grand fashion recording her first career triple-double in an 80-67 Golden Eagle win at East Stroudsburg Saturday afternoon.
Grimm, who entered the game needing one assist to tie Shelly Respecki’s career record of 470 assists (which was set in just two seasons), wasted little time reaching the mark tying the record with a pass to Sara Pratt at 14:25 of the first half and breaking the record moments later on a jumper by Katrina Greer at13:46.
She finished the game with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists tying a career high for assists. She now has 481 career helpers.
“It’s an honor to set the record, but it won’t have been possible without my teammates over the past four seasons,” Grimm said. “You can’t have an assist without a made basket, so this is really a team honor. I have been fortunate to play with some really good players in my Clarion career.”
Clarion head coach Gie Parsons was impressed with how Grimm set the record.
“I think it was pretty awesome that she needed two assists and got 12,” Parsons said. “Then to do it with a triple-double is incredible. It is well deserving. She has been our court leader the past four years, and this season she is doing everything we need from her. She is a complete this year.”
Grimm was one of four Golden Eagles (8-3) to score in double figures Saturday. Greer led the Golden Eagles with 17 points while adding six rebounds. Pratt had 15 points and four boards, while Jessica Albanese added 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Jackie Yandrisevits led East Stroudsburg (4-6) with a game-high 22 points while adding six rebounds. Keri Cahill had 12 points for the Warriors.
Clarion led 35-34 at halftime and 44-43 with 14:08 to play before using an 14-3 run to break the game open.
Clarion returns to action Sunday at Kutztown (1 p.m.).
NOTES – Respecki got her 470 career assists by recording to 235 assists in each of her two seasons in a Golden Eagle uniform. She had 235 in 1990-91 while leading Clarion to a 24-8 record, the PSAC and PSAC-West titles and a trip to the NCAA Division II “Elite Eight” and 235 again in 1991-92 while leading the Golden Eagles to a 25-4 mark, the PSAC-West Title, the PSAC Final Four and the NCAA Division II “Sweet 16” … The 235 assists are a school record for a single season … Grimm’s season-high for assists is 137 last season, which ranks fourth in school history. Her 136 helpers in 2005-06 ranks fifth in Clarion history, while here 125 helpers in 2004-05 rank seventh all-time in a season at Clarion. This season, Grimm has 83 assists in 11 games, and her 7.36 assists per game leads the PSAC. She helped the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Division II Playoffs and the PSAC Final Four as a freshman.
ASHLEY GRIMM ASSISTS YEAR-BY-YEAR
YEAR ASSISTS
2007-2008 83 (Through Jan. 5, 2008)
2006-2007 137
2005-2006 136
2004-2005 125
TOTAL 481
TOP FIVE IN CLARION HISTORY IN ASSISTS
RANK, PLAYER ASST. YEARS
1. Ashley Grimm 481* 2005-2008
2. Shelly Respecki 470 1991-92
3. Amy Migyanka 407 1993-96
4. Tammy Holman 296 1985-88
5. Shannon Coakley 286 1991-94