Women's Basketball Tames Cougars for First Win of Season

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Three Lady Bears scored in double figures leading the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's basketball team to a 72-49 non-conference road victory over borough rivals Medgar Evers on Wednesday evening.

The Lady Bears (1-2) never trailed in their first win of the season connecting on a blistering 53 percent (27-of-51) of their attempts and holding the Cougars (1-1) to just 13 first-half points in their first loss of the season.

Fresh off being named USCAA Player of the Week, junior Samantha Retas (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) recorded her second straight double-double with team highs of 18 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. Senior Kelly McNamee (Glendale, N.Y./Mary Louis) shot 7-for-9 from the field and contributed 15 points. Sophomore Erica Eddy (Glendale, N.Y./Christ the King) posted her second straight game in double figures with 10 points.

Imani Mason netted 21 points for the Cougars to lead all scorers and Kimonia Mullings had a near double-double with 10 points and nine caroms.

TURNING POINTS

After a trifecta from Retas opened the scoring the game remained firmly control of the Lady Bears, their defense holding the Cougars to three points over the opening seven minutes of action and growing their advantage throughout the course of the opening period.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Other key contributors: Megan Moran (9 pts, 7 reb), Kristin D'Chiutiis (7 pts, 6 reb, 8 ast)
• St. Joseph's dominated on the glass holding a 60-37 advantage, aided by the Cougars poor connect rate (22.5 FG%, 37.8 FT%) that led to 50 caroms on the defensive end
• After being outscored 37-13 in the opening half, the Cougars held a 36-35 edge in the second half, making the most of 23 Lady Bear miscues that led to 18 points

THE BEAR FACTS

• St. Joseph's wins their ninth straight against their cross-borough rivals and improves to 12-4 all-time
• The Lady Bears connected over 50 percent only one time last season in a 71-51 win over Lehman
• St. Joseph's 60 rebounds were the most since the Lady Bears pulled down 62 vs. Albertus Magnus this past January at the Barclays Center
• The Lady Bears' 37 miscues were the most since a 47-turnover effort vs. College of Staten Island on Nov. 29, 2007
• Retas' double-double was her ninth 20-point game of her career and seventh game with 15-plus rebounds

NEXT UP FOR THE LADY BEARS

The Lady Bears hit the road for Allentown, Pa. returning to the hardwood on Saturday, November 23 facing Lehman College in the opening round of the Cedar Crest College Tournament. Please note the start time has been changed from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.