CASTLETON, Vt. – Saint Joseph's College (1-0) opened the 2023-24 season with a 73-48 victory over New England College (1-1) in the Castleton Classic on Friday evening. Senior guard Angelica Hurley (Groveland, Mass.) netted a career-high 25 points in the triumph.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Monks held a 20-18 edge after the first quarter and the score stood at a 24-24 tie with 5:52 left in the second frame, but Saint Joseph's closed out the half with a 15-3 run and carried a 39-27 lead into the break.

St. Joe's proceeded to lead by at least 13 points for the rest of the game and claimed a 20-point cushion for the first time when senior guard Nina Howe (York, Maine) made a layup to make it a 66-45 score with 5:57 left in the fourth quarter. Junior Mackenzie Currie (Merrimac, Mass.) provided the Monks with a game-high 25-point lead, and the 73-48 final, when she dropped in a layup with 21 seconds remaining.

STATS OF THE GAME:

The Monks overcame a 3-for-20 three-point shooting performance with a 46-26 lead in points in the paint while converting 23 NEC turnovers into 26 points.

LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:

• Hurley was 11-for-20 from the floor with seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists
• Howe scored 17 points off a 7-for-11 shooting effort with five rebounds
• Sophomore Grace Ramsdell (Wells, Maine) tallied 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists
• Sophomore Elisabeth Stapelfeld (Brookline, N.H.) chipped in with eight points, two boards, and two assists

LEADERS – NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE:

• Kathleen Rodriguez netted nine points with nine rebounds
• Amya Moss came off the bench to score nine points with three boards and two steals
• Makiah Scott scored seven points with three rebounds and a pair of assists
• Juliana Hernandez grabbed six rebounds and added three points

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:

With the victory Saint Joseph's improves to 5-3 in the history of the series with New England College.

The Monks are now 33-14 (.682), including a 25-5 (.815) mark under Head Coach Mike McDevitt, in season-openers. With tonight's win, St. Joe's has kicked off each of the last 11 seasons with a victory.

NEXT!

Saint Joseph's will face Vermont State Castleton in the Castleton Classic Championship tomorrow at 3:00 PM.

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