Nov. 9, 2006

PITTSBURGH, PA - Duquesne University's head women's basketball coach Dan Durkin has announced the signings of Kelly Britcher (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop), Magdalena Jennings (Szczytno, Poland/Carl Albert State College) and Lauren Reinshuttle (Fairfax Station, Va./South County) to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08 season.

Britcher, a 6-0 guard, enters her senior year as Westmont Hilltop's all-time leading scorer with 1,329 points while leading her squad to the PIAA championship game each of the past two years. She garnered PIAA first team All-State honors in 2006 and was a second team honoree as a sophomore. Westmont Hilltop has captured the Laurel Highlands Conference title the past three years. Britcher averaged 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game as a junior. She also excels in soccer where she was recently named to the girl's all-state soccer team and is a three-year letterwinner in track. She is a member of her school record-holding 4 x 1600 meter relay team and was a PIAA state qualifier in the discus in 2005 and 2006. Britcher plans to major in business.

"Kelly is a great all-around athlete," says Durkin. "We have been following Kelly for the last couple of years through her AAU team in Johnstown and her high school team at Westmont Hilltop. Kelly will be a small forward/guard for us and has excellent skills on the defensive end. She runs the floor really well and finishes great around the basket. She is a proven winner and is an excellent student."

Jennings is a 6-2 post out of Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Okla. where she was one of the team's field goal percentage leaders hitting 43.1 percent from the floor (38-88) while adding 88 points as a freshman. Jennings, who goes by Magda, a shortened version of her first name, plans to major in biology at Duquesne.

Durkin adds, "Magda was a great sign four us. She is an excellent athlete in the post who can run the floor and finishes well in traffic. She has a great touch with her jumper and loves to play defense. She is originally from Poland, but graduated from high school in New Hampshire. Her coach Jeff Tadtman says she is one of the hardest workers he has had over the years."

Reinshuttle, a 5-10 guard, averaged 17.2 ppg at South County Secondary School which was in its first year of existence during the 2005-06 season. She has the distinction of the being the year-old school's first Division I signing. The team captain was named to the South County Secondary Holiday Hoops All-Tournament team and was a second team all-district selection. Reinshuttle recorded double-figure scoring in 17 of her 21 games, which included 32 points vs. Hayfield and 30 against Falls Church. She also recorded a quadruple-double posting 15 points, 12 rebounds, 10 steals and 10 blocks (and had eight assists) vs. West Potomac. Reinshuttle plans to major in media management and production.

"Lauren is a great shooting guard who got on our radar screen with the help from former assistant coach Krista Jay," Durkin says. "Lauren played on a great AAU team this summer - the VA Cardinals - where she had continued success. She is an excellent student and is multi-talented as she plays the guitar and writes poetry as well. Lauren will be a great addition to our program."

Duquesne University Women's Basketball 2007-08 Signings

                    HT  POS PPG RPG Hometown/High School (Previous School)Kelly Britcher          6-0 G   14.2    5.8 Johnstown, Pa./Westmont HilltopMagda Jennings          6-2 C   3.4 n/a Szczytno, Poland/Carl Albert State CollegeLauren Reinshuttle  5-10    G   17.2    n/a Fairfax Station, Va./South County Secondary School