Neumann Snaps Women’s Basketball’s Three-Game Win Streak

WASHINGTON — In their first game since finals break, the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's basketball team fell to Neumann University, 88-75, on Saturday afternoon for day one of the Catholic Tournament. Despite the loss, all five SJC starters reached double-figures as the Bears' three-game win streak ended in defeat.

How It Happened
The Bears came into the contest as winners of six of their last seven games, but the first quarter was back-and-forth with neither side gaining a strong edge. SJC would go on to lead by just one (27-26) after the first behind three long-balls from Jamie Provino (Harrison, N.Y./Harrison) in the period.

Neumann found their stride in the second, however, using 11 unanswered points to establish a 41-32 advantage with four minutes to play in the half. However, Provino buried a jumper with 2:11 on the clock and neither team scored for the final two minutes of the quarter as the Knights led 44-39 at intermission.

Mariah Maciejewski sank a jumper and Nafisa Saunders followed 40 seconds later with a three-ball to give Neumann a 10-point lead early in the third (9:02). They didn't look back from there as they led by at least seven for the rest of the frame. The Knights controlled the second half to seal victory, outshooting St. Joseph's 46.7%-18.2% beyond the arc over the final two periods for an 88-75 triumph.

For the Bears

• Kelly O'Donnell (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund Prep) dropped a team-high 22 points while corralling 16 rebounds for a double-double (three steals).
• Provino finished with 14 points (5-10 FG) and senior captain Victoria Porcasi (Franklin Square, N.Y./H. Frank Carey) added 13 of her own.
• Lauren Quesada (Westbury, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) posted a 12-point, 17-rebound double-double (five blocks).
• Senior Caitlyn Staab (Lynbrook, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) was the final starter in double-figures with 13 points and seven boards.

Next Up for the Bears
Day two of the Catholic Tournament taking on Wesley at 1 p.m. with links to live stats and video available at SJCBears.com