Knights Hand Lady Eagles First Skyline Loss of Season

Newburgh, N.Y. – The Lady Eagles of St. Joseph's College (8-5, Skyline 2-1) were handed their first Skyline Conference loss of the season yesterday at the hands of the Knights of Mount Saint Mary College (6-7, Skyline 3-1).

The Knights came out firing after the opening tip-off. They started the first six minutes of the game on a 15-4 run capped by two free-throws by Rottisha Lewis. The lead would hover around nine points until a three-pointer by Christina Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown East) sparked a St. Joseph's 10-1 run over the final six minutes of the half to tie the game at 26 heading into the locker room.

The second half would remain a close game throughout, with neither team gaining an edge of more than four points. With the Eagles down one with 4:42 left on the clock, Amanda Bender (East Northport, N.Y. / Northport) hit a crucial layup to give St. Joseph's a 47-46 lead. A late foul by Bender with 1:55 left, gave Mount Saint Mary's Rottisha Lewis two high pressure free-throws. She hit both and the Lady Eagles were not able to recover.

Laura Cohen's (Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown East) jump shot with 0:11 left on the clock pulled the game within two points, 49-51. The Eagles had one last opportunity after two missed free-throws by the Knights, but Mount Saint Mary had fouls to give and time would expire without St. Joseph's getting a last second shot off.

 Amanda Bender led all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor. Danielle Hamlin (Centereach, N.Y. / Centereach) recorded another double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Next up for the Lady Eagles is a conference game at home this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against the Dolphins of Mount Saint Vincent (4-7, Skyline 0-4). Last season the Golden Eagles swept the season series against Mount Saint Vincent with final scores of 78-75 and 64-62.