St. Elizabeth’s Soars Over Lady Bears in HVWAC Championship

BROOKLYN, NY - #3 St. Joseph's women's basketball got off to a slow start and was never able to recover, falling to #1 College of St. Elizabeth 68-25 in the championship game of the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference Tournament at Pratt Institute. The loss snaps St. Joseph's five-game winning streak and now sit at 11-14 on the season. St. Elizabeth's improves to 19-8.

The Lady Bears offense that worked so well against Albany Pharmacy in the semifinal failed to show in the championship.  St. Joseph's missed 13 of their first 15 shots and fell behind 20-4, prompting Coach Frank P. Carbone to call his second timeout.  However, it didn't stop the Eagles momentum as they extended their lead on 48 percent shooting, closing out the half with a 39-10 advantage.  The Lady Bears connected on only 15 percent (4-for-26) of their shots in the opening half.

The 29-point halftime deficit proved too much for St. Joseph's to overcome as St. Elizabeth's defense continued to disrupt the Lady Bears offensive sets and forced several turnovers.  The Eagles also controlled the glass, holding a 49-28 rebounding advantage for the game.

No Lady Bear managed to score in double figures.  Ashley McQuillan (Brooklyn, NY/St. Francis Prep) led St. Joseph's with six points and three rebounds.  Kristin Binckes (Brooklyn, NY/St. Saviour) grabbed eight rebounds.

Jessica Dixon, the HVWAC Tournament MVP, led St. Elizabeth's with 22 points.  Sarah Kozlowski and Diane DaSilva added 11 points each.

St. Joseph's closes out 2008-09 season on Wednesday night on the road at Briarcliffe College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.