BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Propelled by a 17-point showing from Kristen Donovan (Maspeth, N.Y.) and a double-double from Nikki Grech (Northville, Mich.), the St. Joseph's University, N.Y. – Brooklyn women's basketball team defeated Purchase, 60-44, on Tuesday evening from The Hill Center. 

How it Happened

The Bears opened the scoring with seven unanswered points before climbing to a 13-2 advantage. Triples from Donovan and Aaniya Telford (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led to the navy-and-gray winning the quarter, 19-4.

Purchase trimmed the deficit to 10 early in the second but St. Joseph's kept their pace on the scoresheet, claiming a 36-18 lead at the end of the first half. Donovan paced the Bears with 12 points while Grech totaled eight in the first 20 minutes.

The SJBK lead grew to its largest margin of 26 points with 3:22 left in the third quarter, at 48-22. The Panthers slightly outscored the Bears in the second half, 26-24, but their first-half deficit proved too difficult to overcome, leading to a 60-44 victory for St. Joseph's.

For the Bears

• Donovan's 17 points marked the fifth time in seven games that she scored in double figures. She also had six rebounds and three steals.

• Grech's 20 rebounds were a game-high and a new career-best. Her 12 points resulted in her first collegiate double-double. 

• Mercedes Perez (San Antonio, Texas) finished with a line of 11 points and eight rebounds.

• Shanna Bliss (Astoria, N.Y.) logged seven boards, three blocks, and four points.

• Telford totaled six points and three rebounds.

• The international partnership of Domenika Sanchez (Guayaquil, Ecuador) and Jasmine Chan-Clayton (Melbourne, Australia) each had five points.

Up Next

The Bears begin a three-game road trip beginning on Saturday, January 25 at St. Joseph's (Long Island). Opening tip is scheduled for noon.