Lady Eagles Drop First Game of Holiday Classic

Kissimmee, Fl. – The St. Joseph's College women's basketball team (7-3) was defeated by the Spartans of Castleton State (10-0), 64-44, in the opening round of the ECAC Holiday Festival. The loss snapped the Lady Eagles' three-game winning streak.

St. Joseph's struggled to score in the first half, shooting 8-of-29 from the floor. Forward Danielle Hamlin (Centereach, N.Y. / Centereach) scored eight points in the half (nine total). The Eagles increased their lead to 20-13 with 6:07 left in the half, from a Laura Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown East) jumper. However, the Spartans would cap the first half on a 15-0 run over the next six minutes to go into the locker room up 28-20.

The Castleton defense was just as stifling in the second half; holding the Eagles to 32.0% shooting and forcing 10 turnovers.  Laura Cohen scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half.  Christina Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) scored 13.  The Spartans had a strong all-around effort with 11 players scoring and only one in double-digits.

The Lady Eagles will now face the Mighty Macs of Immaculata University (4-7) in the consolation game in the ECAC Holiday Festival tomorrow.