First Place Knights Slay Lady Eagles at the Danzi Center

Patchogue, N.Y.—The St. Joseph's Lady Eagles (10-9, 4-4 SKY) fell to the Mt. St. Mary's Knights (11-7, 8-1 SKY) at home Thursday night, 64-43.  Laura Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y./ Smithtown East) led Eagle efforts with 15 points and six rebounds.

The Knights came out of the gate strong, scoring eight unanswered points in the first seven minutes of the game.  Amanda Bender's (East Northport, N.Y./ Northport) three-pointer at 13:12 put SJC on the board and gave the Lady Eagles the spark they needed to get back into the game. Three jump shots and a made lay-up later, the Eagles were ahead 13-12 with ten minutes left to play in the half.

Christina Cohen (Smithtown, N.Y./ Smithtown East) widened the lead with a three-pointer moments later but the Eagles could not maintain their momentum.  The Knights sunk two three-pointers and a jump shot all within a minute to kick off a run of offensive pushes that would ultimately put Mary's up by ten at the half.

The Knights' success at the foul line and their ability to break down the Eagle defense with their crippling short-range jumpers allowed them to maintain their lead into the second half.  Katie McGarrel's (Centereach, N.Y./ Newfield) jump shot at 9:13 brought SJC within 14, but the gap would again widen to 20 with 7:12 left in the game.  Despite continuous efforts by the Eagles on both ends of the court, the Knight's strong offensive game finally led to their victory.

In addition to Laura Cohen's 15 points, Christina Cohen came away with eight while Danielle Hamlin (Centereach, N.Y./ Centereach) finished with six.

The Lady Eagles will next take to their home court at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in an effort to earn their fifth Skyline Conference win against Purchase.

(Game Recap by Caitlynn Webber)