Women's Basketball Shatter Scoring Records in Win over Briarcliffe

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's basketball team, ranked No. 12, shattered many single-game and individual records as they defeated No. 15 Briarcliffe in United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) play, 94-71, at the Hill Center on Friday night. 

The Lady Bears (9-7) broke single-game school records in points (94), field goals made (42) and assists (31), all previously set on February 14, 2006 against Yeshiva.

Individually, St. Joseph's set multiple records tonight as well. Senior Taylor Raccuglia (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) scored a career-high 30 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Samantha Simon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) established career highs in points (15), rebounds (six) and assists (four). Freshman Destiny Marino (Middle Village, N.Y./Christ the King) surpassed her career highs with 18 points and eight assists.

Newly-crowned Lady Bears' rebounding champion Samantha Retas (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) recorded her tenth double-double of the season, tallying 18 points and grabbing 16 boards. The senior also added five assists in the victory.

Judy Pierre scored 22 points for the Bulldogs (5-8), while Shemique Hooks netted 22 points to go along with eight boards in a losing effort. Both combined for nine of the Bulldogs' (5-8) 10 three-pointers. Vikki Castillo chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Kiara Johnson added eight points and seven assists.

The game went back and forth for the first 12 minutes of the first half, with four ties and nine lead changes. Leading by a point with 7:04 left in the half, the Lady Bears erupted for a 22-4 run to go into intermission up 49-30. The 49 points was also the highest first-half total this season. They continued their advantage in the second half, unleashing a 20-3 run in the first five and a half minutes of the stanza to secure the win.

St. Joseph's continued their dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Bulldogs, 48-35. They also dominated the inside scoring in the game, owning a 54-22 edge, and also tied their lowest number of turnovers on the season, only allowing 12 in the contest.

St. Joseph's will return to action on Monday when they host John Jay College out of the CUNYAC. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. Live stats and video coverage will be available at SJCBears.com