WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Saint Joseph's College of Maine (SJC) (5-3, 0-1) women's basketball team opened GNAC play with a 70-64 setback against The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) (3-3. 1-0) on Saturday afternoon at the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SJC started strong, claiming a 3-0 lead, but USJ quickly responded with a 4-0 run, capped by a transition layup, to take a 4-3 lead with 7:16 remaining in the first quarter. The Blue Jays extended the advantage to 8-3 on a jumper at the 5:07 mark.

The Monks countered with a 5-0 run to tie the game at 8-8 with 2:12 left in the first. USJ closed the period strong, however, using a 4-0 run of their own, including a layup in the final minute, to take a 12-8 lead into the second quarter.

In the second, the Blue Jays began to pull away, extending their lead to six points, 18-12. USJ went on a 14-0 run that forced SJC to call a timeout with the score 21-12 in favor of USJ at the 5:56 mark.

The Monks rallied with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 26-19 with 2:40 left in the half, the Blue Jays maintained control, and a late free throw gave USJ a 33-23 lead at the halftime break.

SJC came out strong in the third quarter, using a 7-2 run to pull within five, 35-30, with 8:20 remaining. USJ quickly responded, and the lead grew to 45-34 after a series of quick baskets. The Monks continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 49-42 with 1:35 left in the third, but USJ held a 51-44 advantage heading into the final quarter.

With five minutes remaining in regulation, the Monks pulled within four points, 59-55. The Blue Jays stretched their lead back to seven points at 63-56.

With just over three minutes remaining, SJC sank a three-pointer to cut the lead to one point, 63-62. However, USJ drained two crucial free throws in the final moments to push USJ's lead to 67-64 with 41 seconds left. The Blue Jays held off the Monks in the closing seconds to secure the 70-64 win.

LEADERS-SJC 

• Angelica Hurley  (Groveland, MA) recorded six points,11 rebounds, and a steal
• Elisabeth Staplefeld (Brookline, N.H.) contributed 11 points and three rebounds
• Junior Grace Ramsdell (Wells, ME) led the Monks with 21 points, six rebounds and a steal
• Maddie Russell (Oakfield, Maine) added nine points and three rebounds

LEADERS-USJ

• Taylor Verboven recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
• Ouellette led the Blue Jays with a game-high 25 points
• Yorke added nine points and two steals.

NEXT!

The Monks are back on the road Saturday, December 14th 1pm at Maine Maritime.