Laura Cohen's 23 Lead Eagles to Victory Over SJC Bears

Patchogue, N.Y. —The Lady Eagles were golden Friday night against their Brooklyn counterparts in St. Joseph's College annual "East vs. West" contest.  Both teams fought hard, each scoring 32 points in the second half, but it was the home team that ultimately stole the show with a 64-60 victory.  Laura Cohen  (Smithtown N.Y./ Smithtown East) came away with a game-high 23 points, including 11 free throws and two three-pointers.

The stands of the John A. Danzi gymnasium were packed; both East (Long Island) and West (Brooklyn) spectators were represented in the roaring crowd.   The Eagles came out with fire under their feet, scoring 22 points to Brooklyn's 12 by the tenth minute of the game.

The Bears were quick to respond though, bringing the game within one point with a minute left in the half.  Christina Cohen (Smithtown N.Y./ Smithtown East) came through with a three-pointer with 20 seconds left in the half, putting the Eagles up 32-28.

Amanda Bender (East Northport, N.Y./ Northport) came onto the court with something to prove in the second half, scoring three free throws in a row and a three point jump shot shortly after.  The Eagles maintained a comfortable ten-point lead for most of the last twenty minutes of the game, pressing defensively and breaking Bears pressure offensively, sustaining a fast pace on both ends of the court.

The final minute of the game was perhaps the most suspenseful of the night.  Lasting twenty minutes, the last minute saw fifteen points scored and six fouls. Bears' Samantha Retas' three pointer with six seconds left brought the game within two points. Laura Cohen, blocking out the screaming crowd, calmly dropped two foul shots in with one second left, scoring the last two points of the game and clinching the win for the Golden Eagles.

The game played witness to some great plays by the Lady Eagles who handled the foul line well in a very physical game and were successful in anticipating the ball with a total of 12 steals. Laura Cohen rounded out her 23 points with five steals, five assists and seven rebounds. Bender dominated with 18 points and 13 rebounds while Christina Cohen added four steals and two rebounds to her impressive 15 points.  Danielle Hamlin (Centereach, N.Y./ Centereach) was all over the court with six points, five rebounds and four assists as Colleen Fitzsimons (Commack, N.Y./Commack) came off the bench with a solid two points and seven rebounds.  Ashley Larrea (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) pulled down ten rebounds.  The team was 58.8% from the foul line and 33.9% from the field.

The Lady Eagles will next host New Rochelle as they return to the court for an afternoon affair tomorrow at 3 p.m.