Terry Zeh has been with the program since 1997, and head coach since 2004. Now in his seventh season, he has compiled a record of 109-89. Although Sister Pares set her mark in five seasons, she had three All-Americans.

Zeh passes Sister Pares in career wins, plays it cool

As head coach Terry Zeh walked off the court Tuesday night at the Koessler Athletic Center, he was greeted with a bear hug—first from Roy Drysdale, and then from Wayne Ruttle.

Fittingly enough, it was their daughters who helped Zeh defeat Saint Peter’s, 60-56, to become Canisius College’s all-time winningest women’s basketball coach, passing Sister Maria Pares with his 109^th career victory.

“I really haven’t thought about it at all,” said Zeh, who also mentioned he wasn’t even aware of the record until Griffs play-by-play announcer Mike Scott mentioned it to him. “I think about our players that have been here, and that’s who won these games. It’s the people that were here, Mere Mullins…Becky Zak… Cheri Wittlieb… those are the people that have wins. I don’t have any wins.”

Senior Micayla Drysdale led all players with 15 points and added five rebounds while freshman Jamie Ruttle and sophomore Ashley Durham both scored nine points.

The Griffs (5-8, 1-1 MAAC) fell behind early but used a 15-1 run midway through the first half to claim the lead. Canisius led 29-25 at halftime and never trailed the rest of the way.

Sophomore Ashley Durham’s 3-pointer with 12:18 to play gave Canisius its largest lead of the night at 46-30. The Peahens fought back and brought the score within three points but Zeh’s bunch was able to hold off the comeback attempt and claim the victory.

Twenty-three of Canisius’ points came from the free-throw line. Drysdale led the way hitting 9 of 10 from the line while freshman Jen Morabito was a perfect 3 for 3, upping her team-leading free throw percentage to .897.

Canisius scored 27 points off 20 Peahen turnovers, although the Griffs turned it over 21 times themselves.

“It was a little messy but we came out with the win,” Drysdale said. “Keeping our cool and sticking together, that’s what won us the game.”

The women play again this weekend with a road trip to Loyola and Rider. Loyola was ranked third in the preseason poll and has won two straight, bringing its record to 5-8 (2-0 MAAC). Rider, picked to finish last in the league, is winless on the year.