Late Fourth Quarter Push Not Enough as Centenary Downs Women's Basketball, 64-59

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY | The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's basketball team was defeated by Centenary University, 64-59, in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday night inside the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center. With the loss, the Golden Eagles slip to 4-10 while the Cyclones improve to 11-3.

The Cyclones would get on the board first courtesy of a Mallory George layup a minute into the game. Andrea Iavarone would answer back with a jump shot to pull the Golden Eagles within two (4-2), but a 9-2 run by the Cyclones gave Centenary a 13-4 lead at 2:46. SJC was able to shorten the gap to three (15-12) with an 8-2 run, but the Cyclones would exit the quarter with a 19-12 lead.

The two team engaged in a back-and-forth battle to start the second frame with the Cyclones pulling away with a 23-16 lead at the 6:54 mark. After an 8-2 run Centenary took a double-digit lead (31-18) at 3:17, before closing off the half with a 14-point lead (40-26).
SJC began the third quarter with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to seven (40-33) at the 6:28 mark. However, the Cyclones answered back and closed out the third frame with a 14-3 run to take a commanding 54-36 lead.

The two teams traded baskets as Centenary would maintain a double-digit lead (58-40) at 7:43, until an Iavarone layup would start a 13-4 to close SJC's gap to just nine (62-53). In the final minute of action George would sink in two free throws to pull away once more by 11, the Golden Eagles did their best to amount a comeback but were not successful as they closed out the game with a 6-0 run in the 64-59 defeat.

Iavarone shot 12-20 from the field and led the game with 27 points and 13 rebounds. Jennifer Gubell contributed with 18 points, three rebounds and an assist.

The Golden Eagles shot just 33.3% from the field compared to the Cyclones' 47.5%. The Cyclones held the advantage in assists (24-18), while SJC had the upper hand in rebounds (40-39). 

The Golden Eagles will hit the road to take on SUNY Old Westbury on Saturday, January 14 at 12:00pm. Live stats will be available here.