Lady Golden Eagles Fly to First Skyline Win Over Purchase

Patchogue, N.Y.– In the St. Joseph's (3-8, 1-0 SKY) first Skyline Conference matchup of the season, the Lady Golden Eagles defeated the Purchase Panthers (2-8, 0-1 SKY), 59-48, on Tuesday night in the Danzi Center.

The Golden Eagles controlled the entire first half of the contest, opening up the game with a quick 10-0 surge. The Panthers followed up with a jump shot and then became victims to another Golden Eagle 15-0 run; this occurred from the 7:25 mark and it lifted the Eagles lead to 25-2, which was largest margin of the night.

SJC finished the first half strong, scoring the on last play of the half off of a Meaghan Haber (East Northport, N.Y. / Harborfields) made field goal with two seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles headed into the locker room with a commanding 31-14 lead over the Panthers.

Entering the second period, the Purchase Panthers started to edge their way back into the contest, starting with a 10-0 run. The Panthers chipped at their deficit by cutting the Eagles' lead to 50-44 with 7:17 remaining.

SJC responded to the Panther's comeback with a three-pointer by sophomore guard Jackie Zizzo (Bethpage, N.Y./ Bethpage), followed up by Claire Brady (Center Moriches, N.Y. / Center Moriches) and Rynese Smith's (Greenpoint, N.Y. / Bellport) back-to-back field goals. 

Zizzo iced the victory with a final jump shot with one-minute remaining to boost St. Joseph's College to the victory.

On the night, Zizzo scored a team-high 13 points. Freshman forward Andrea Iavarone (Miller Place, N.Y. / Miller Place) held down the defense grabbing ten rebounds along with scoring eight points. Smith scored nine points, tallied five boards and blocked four shots.

Guard Teddi Petre (Ronkonkoma, N.Y. / Connetquot) played an aggressive game against the Panthers scoring eight points, dishing five assists, nabbing four rebounds and forcing five steals. However, Petre's tough attack led to five fouls as she fouled out after contributing 27 minutes of playing time.

Brady came off the bench to supply St. Joseph's with 12 points.

The Golden Eagles will play another conference contest at home as SJC takes on Old Westbury, Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Danzi Center.