Eagles Struck by Lightning Late in First Half, Can’t Recover

Patchogue, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's Golden Eagles (0-3) were outmatched for the third straight game against the Lehman College Lightning (1-0). The Lady Eagles were blown out in their first home game of the season, 91-64.

Unlike the first two games of the season, the Eagles matched their opponent stride for stride in the beginning of the game. The Golden Eagles were unselfish early. Their first six baskets came from five different scorers. The Eagles were hanging around with Lehman, only down 13-10 eight minutes in the first half. Then the lightning caught fire going on a 9-2 run. St. Joseph's answered with back-to-back three pointers by Erika Ellwanger (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot) and Danielle Hamlin (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach). Laura Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) was fouled and drilled both free throws to bring the Eagles back within four. The last seven minutes of the half would set the tone for the rest of the game. The Lightning outscored the Lady Eagles 26-8 to close out the half.

Lehman opened the second half with a three pointer to take a 25 point lead. Coach Petre called a timeout, and his players responded. The Golden Eagles scored ten unanswered points to cut the deficit down to fifteen. The Lightning hit a jumper to end the run but a red hot Laura Cohen answered right back with a bucket from behind the arc to give her eight points in the half. The turnovers killed the Eagles once again. Three giveaways put Lehman up twenty once again but Laura Cohen responded with another three. St. Joseph's were handing the Lightning the ball and they took advantage. Unfortunately for the Lady Eagles on Tuesday night, basketball was not a one woman sport. The Eagles were outscored 30-8 in the first thirteen minutes of the second half without the contribution of Laura Cohen. Cohen scored seventeen points during that stretch. Ultimately, St. Joseph's proved they could compete with Lehman. The Golden Eagles were only outscored by two in the second half following the opening possession. Without the final seven minutes of the first half, the Lady Eagles only lost by six, but college basketball is a forty minute game. Laura Cohen led her team with 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block but she also gave the ball away ten times. Danielle Hamlin had another outstanding game shooting 4 for 7 from the field adding twelve points, thirteen rebounds, and two assists. The Lightning won the game on the inside. Their two starting forwards combined for 58 points and 23 rebounds.

St. Joseph's plays host to John Jay this Friday night at 7:00 pm as they look to get their first victory of the season.