Women's Basketball Comes Up Short to USMMA

Patchogue, N.Y.-  The St. Joseph's College women's basketball team dropped a Skyline Conference matchup to the United States Merchant Marine Academy 85-54 this evening at the Danzi Center.  The Golden Eagles fall to 4-8 overall, 1-5 in Skyline action.  The Mariners improve to 10-3 on the season, 6-2 in conference play.

Senior Andrea Iavarone recorded a team high of 16 points and eight rebounds.  Freshman Jami Candenas finished in double figures with 11 points while adding five boards.

USMMA saw all five starters put up double-digit points with Kaleigh D'Arcy posting a game-high 23.  Shelby Peterson turned in a double-double performance with 15 points and 10 rebounds as well as Tichina Carmon with 14 points and 12 boards.

The Eagles held a one-point lead (8-7) at the six-minute mark in the opening quarter following an N'Dea Maddox layup, but USMMA came back with nine unanswered and closed out the quarter leading 20-9. 

The second frame saw much of the same with the Mariners going on a 15-7 run through the first five minutes of play.  They extended their lead to as many as 28 (48-20) before heading into the break ahead 48-22.

The Mariners came out of the locker rooms shooting 71.4 % from the field in the third quarter building a 74-49 advantage.  Despite outscoring USMMA 15-11 in the fourth, the Golden Eagles could not catch the Mariners ultimately falling 85-54.

As a team, SJC finished shooting just shy of 35% from the field, 28% from long distance with the Merchant Marines knocking down 56.3% from three-point range, 46.6% overall.  The Mariners dominated the post outscoring (32-22) and outrebounding (44-35) the Eagles.

The Golden Eagles return to the Danzi Center Tuesday, January 16^th as they host the Knights of Mt. St. Mary's.  Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm.