Iavarone's Double-Double Helps SJC Roll Past Yeshiva

Patchogue, N.Y.- The St. Joseph's women's basketball team (5-16) ended their winless drought after cruising past the non-conference Yeshiva Maccabees, 60-44, with the help of Andrea Iavarone (Miller Place, N.Y./ Miller Place), who posted a double-double, tallying a season-high 23 points while totaling 11 rebounds in front of their home crowd Thursday night.

Meaghan Haber (East Northport, N.Y./ John Glenn) scored the Lady Golden Eagles first points of the contest after connecting on a three-point shot, followed by a jump shot by Iavarone to knot the game up 5-5, five minutes into the contest.

The Golden Eagles consistently were able to create space, as they doubled the Maccabees total in shots, putting up 44 shots compared to Yeshiva's 22.

At 12:37, Teddi Petre (Ronkonoma, N.Y./ Connetquot) made a strong move to the basket, weaving through defenders to give the Golden Eagles the advantage.

St. Joseph's started to separate themselves at 9:27, when Jackie Zizzo (Bethpage, N.Y./ Bethpage) made consecutive three-pointers to lift them to a 21-18 lead.

The Golden Eagles continued to be effective from the field going on a 17-5 run that featured baskets from Claire Brady (Center Moriches, N.Y./ Center Moriches), Iavarone, and Zizzo.

SJC was able to limit Yeshiva's attack by intercepting the ball an impressive 12 times with Katie McGarrell (Centereach, N.Y./ Newfield) leading the defense with a first period-high four steals.

The Maccabees were able to escape the Golden Eagle defenders to score the final two baskets of the half, cutting the lead to eight points heading into intermission with SJC ahead 35-27.

Yeshiva had a short stint coming out of break, as the visitors chipped into the deficit, cutting it down to as low as five points, five minutes into the action.

However, the Golden Eagles were able to eliminate any comeback effort as the baskets began to drop for them with Brady getting the ball rolling after blocking a shot that transitioned into an offensive play with her scoring from outside the arc. 

Brady's basket was a pivotal play that led to an 11-1 run, allowing the home team to amass a 20-point lead. During the scoring spree, Iavarone was able to elude defenders to score eight points.

The Golden Eagles held onto the lead for the rest of the night, holding the Maccabees to a measly 18% in second-half field goals.

St. Joseph's College stole the ball an astonishing 21 times during the contest.

Iavarone added to her double-double statistics by adding three steals, along with Brady who forced six turnovers while scoring eight points.

The home team received marksman like shooting from Zizzo, compiling 15 points off 5-9 shooting from three-point range.

St. Joseph's College has three stingy opponents lined up for their final three games of the year.  The Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins are their next Skyline Conference opponent this Saturday in the Danzi Athletic Center at 1:00 p.m.