Women's Basketball Edged by Purchase, 48-43

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Purchase, NY| The St. Joseph's (L.I.) women's basketball team fell to Purchase College, 48-43, in Skyline Conference action on Sunday morning.

The loss drops the Golden Eagles to 6-17 overall and 3-11 in Skyline action. The Panthers improve to 2-21, with a 2-12 mark in conference play.

Andrea Iavarone led the team in scoring in the first quarter, tallying six of the team's 11 points for the Golden Eagles. After 10 minutes of back-and- forth action, Purchase held a three-point lead (14-11) over the visitors.

Early in the second period, Iavarone knocked down a pair of free throws to give SJC its first lead (15-14) since the opening tip at the 8:46 mark. The Panthers would later pull away with a 5-0 run to take a 20-15 lead, but the Golden Eagles answered back with a 6-0 run, keeping the hosts scoreless in the final five minutes of the half to build a 21-20 lead.

The two teams opened the second half trading leads, but Purchase would get the best of the Golden Eagles, outscoring them 15-11 to maintain a 35-32 lead at the end of the third.

The Panthers started the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run to take a 42-34 lead with 7:39 to go. SJC would fight back to cut the deficit by six (44-38) at the 4:35 mark.

Down 46-38, Rynese Smith spearheaded a 5-0 run scoring all five points to bring the Golden Eagles within three with 1:48 left in the game., but Danielle Holmes scored a late basket for the hosts to down the Golden Eagles, 48-43.

Iavarone lead the game in both points (16) and rebounds (19) for her 16th double-double of the season. Smith added with 13 points and eight rounds.

The Golden Eagles return to the hardwood on Wednesday (Feb.  17), when they head to New York, NY to take on Yeshiva University in a Skyline battle. The opening tip is slated for 8 PM.