Women's Basketball Looks to Reverse Fortunes in 2016-17

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's basketball team looks rebound in 2016-17 after a 7-18 (4-12 Skyline) campaign last season which saw them finish seventh in the Skyline Conference standings.

Second-year head coach Kelley Watts seeks to quickly change the fortunes of a team that returns six players and was selected to again finish seventh in the Preseason Coaches Poll. Watts has a broader vision for the program's future, but right now her goal is very simple: reach the playoffs.

"One of our team goals this season is to be competitive in the conference and to earn a spot in the postseason," said the former Rutgers standout and veteran coach.

The Golden Eagles are returning the majority of their core from last year including Skyline All-Conference First-Team selection Andrea Iavarone. The junior forward was SJC's leading scorer and finished third in the conference in scoring (17.4 PPG) and field goal percentage (47.1). The Miller Place, NY native was also a rebounding force and finished 18th in nation and first in the conference in rebounds-per-game (12.2) and double-doubles (18). Additionally she was seventh in the nation in offensive rebounds-per-game (5,2) and 26th in total rebounds (305).

Returning for her fourth and final season for SJC is senior guard Jacqueline Zizzo. Zizzo, who amassed 164 points in her junior year, averaged 6.6 points-per-game and led the team in three-point field goals (37). She was also third on the team in assists (43) and collected 42 rebounds in 2015-16. Classmate Michelle Lupoli looks to have an impact season after finishing in second on the team in field goal percentage (39.8) a year ago.

Senior Danielle Gehring, who started in 13 of her 15 appearances last season, will be a key asset in the paint for the Golden Eagles. The lefty forward collected 68 boards and scored 77 points after transferring from FDU Florham before the spring semester.

The 2016-17 recruiting class features three freshmen, Laura Falacara (G, Eastport, NY), Juliana Cintron-Leonardo (G, Riverhead, NY), and Samantha Wedderburn (G, Melville, NY). Watts also brings in sophomore Alicia Indence, a transfer from Mount St. Mary's, who will bring veteran leadership to the court.

2016-17 Skyline Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll

Team (first-place votes), Pts.

1. Sage (5), 74
2. Old Westbury (3), 72
3. Mount Saint Vincent (1), 67
4. Farmingdale State (1), 56
5. Mount Saint Mary, 54
6. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn, 39
7. St. Joseph's-Long Island, 29
8. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 26
9. Purchase, 22
10. Yeshiva, 11 

Forecasting the coming season, Watts states "all the games are important, but we have our sights set on the Skyline Conference match-ups." The Golden Eagles open up conference play at home when they take on Yeshiva University on Tuesday, November 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM.

The Golden Eagles open their 2016-17 campaign on Tuesday, November 15, when they host Medgar Evers at 8:00 PM inside the Danzi Center.