Career Games By Kennedy and Breen Not Enough for Women's Basketball Against Old Westbury

BROOKLYN, N.Y. —  Freshman Grace Kennedy (Maspeth, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy) and junior Alexis Breen (Union Beach, N.J./Keyport) both scored career highs and combined for 48 points but it wasn't enough as the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's basketball team dropped a fast-paced affair to SUNY College at Old Westbury, 81-64, on Monday evening at The Hill Center.

How It Happened

The Panthers (4-3, 3-3 Skyline) scored off the opening tip and assembled a quick 15-3 lead just three-and-a-half minutes into the game. But Kennedy caught fire and scored all of the Bears 16 points in a four-minute span that shrank the deficit to two, 21-19, and the Bears (2-8, 2-5) trailed 23-19 at the opening break. 

The visitors re-extended their lead to double-digits midway through the second, but the Bears couldn't find a late spark again. Kennedy would surpass her previous career best in the opening 20 minutes scoring 21 points with five three-pointers, but the Bears trailed 45-29 at the intermission. 

Breen shouldered the offense in the second half scoring 18 points — one better than her previous career-high —  and shot 7-for-11 from the floor in the half but SJC couldn't chip away at the deficit against an OW squad that dressed just five players but shot 44 percent (38-87) and outscored the Bears in the paint, 60-20. Ja'Nya Flash led all players with a 27-point, 25-rebound double-double.

For the Bears

• Kennedy recorded her first career double-double (25 points, 12 rebounds) — her first 20-point game and first double-figure rebound game. She drained five triples, swiped three steals, and handed out an assist.
• Breen scored her first 20-point game with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting with three rebounds and two steals.
• Fatima Monsour (Brooklyn, N.Y./New Utrecht) scored six points with seven boards and a block.
• Ayomide Adeoye (Brooklyn, N.Y./Edward R. Murrow) also chipped in six points with eight caroms.
• The fast-paced affair finished in just one hour and fifteen minutes.

Next Up

The Bears travel to Farmingdale State on Wednesday, January 12 for a Skyline affair tipping off at 5 p.m. Fans are reminded that spectators are prohibited until at least February 1. Live stats and video will be available at SJCBears.com/live.