Old Westbury Tops W. Basketball in Skyline Game

Patchogue, N.Y.- Despite tremendous effort, a poor shooting performance by the St. Joseph's women's basketball team (3-9, 1-1 SKY) prevented the Lady Golden Eagles from earning their second Skyline Conference victory of the season as SJC was defeated 44-38 by the Old Westbury Panthers (7-6, 1-0 SKY) Friday night at the Danzi Center.

In the tilt, neither team shot well. St. Joseph's shot a season-low 16.7% while the Panthers put up a 26.8% field goal percentage.

The shooting woes began early as the Golden Eagles dug an 8-1 hole to begin the game. At the 10:35 mark of the contest and down by 10, guard Rynese Smith (Greenpoint, N.Y./ Bellport) was able to revive SJC after completing back-to-back layups while completing a successful "and-one" after being fouled in her latter shot.

Smith would be fouled again moments later where she made one of two from the free throw line cutting the Panther's lead to seven points. This was following the Panthers converting a successful layup.

With two minutes remaining the half, guard Jackie Zizzo (Bethpage, N.Y., NY / Bethpage), forward Andrea Iavarone (Miller Place, N.Y./ Miller Place), and guard Meghan Haber (East Northport, N.Y. / Harborfields) were all aggressive attacking the basket creating their own free throw opportunities.  Together Zizzo, Ivarone, and Haber combined for 4-for-6 from the line, which cut the deficit to 16-15 going into break.

Eleven second half forced turnovers by SJC's defense kept the Eagles afloat for the majority of the second period, but again poor shooting halted any comeback. The Panther's shot 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, compared to SJC's 10.8% three-point percentage. 

Claire Brady (Center Moriches, N.Y. / Center Moriches) and Katie McGarrell (Centereach, N.Y./ Newfield) helped fortify the Golden Eagle defense by coming of the bench and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds apiece. Smith also had seven rebounds along with eight points, five steals and two blocked shots. SJC's Teddi Petre (Ronkonkoma, N.Y. / Connetquot) had a game-high six steals and four assists.

St. Joseph's College recorded a season-high 18 steals in Friday night's matchup.

SJC's next Skyline Conference game will be on Sunday against the Mount Saint Mary Knights (5-7, 1-1 SKY) in Newburgh, N.Y. at 1 p.m.