Stockton Ospreys Swoop in to Beat Lady Eagles

Patchogue, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's Lady Eagles (0-9) could not contain the potent offense of the Richard Stockton Ospreys (5-6) on their way to a 78-49 loss on their home court Monday night.

The Eagles, with only six players suited up for the game got off to one of their best starts of the season. Christina Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) and Danielle Hamlin (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) hit back-to-back threes on the opening possessions and the Lady Eagles played stellar defense early in the first half not allowing any easy shots. The Ospreys battled their way back into the game but Cohen and Hamlin kept the Eagles within striking distance.

Just as St. Joseph's regained the lead 12-11, their offense went cold. Richard Stockton went on a 15-0 run as they utilized their bench giving their players proper rest, a luxury that the Lady Eagles did not have Monday night. The game appeared to be slipping away from the Eagles when Christina Cohen instilled some hope with two straight three-pointers to cut the deficit to twelve. However, the Eagles could not maintain any offensive rhythm as they went into the locker room down 18 at the half.

In the first thirteen minutes of the second half, Jackie Zizzo (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) drilled three jumpers and Christina Cohen added a three but the Lady Eagles were outscored 26-10 over that time span. The turnover-plagued Eagles found themselves down 37 before the offense finally found a rhythm. The Lady Eagles were able to cut the deficit to 29 as Hamlin hit a three at the buzzer but it was too little, too late.

Hamlin, Zizzo, and Christina Cohen scored in double digits with Cohen leading the way with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Hamlin added seven rebounds to her 11 points. Zizzo had three steals to go along with her season high 13 points. Katie McGarrell added eight rebounds and Laura Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) filled the stat sheet with seven points, eight assists, and four steals. Michelle Lupoli (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) gave the Eagles 17 solid defensive minutes.

The Lady Eagles will travel to Sage on Saturday, January 11^th for a Skyline Conference game.