JAMAICA, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) women's basketball team improved to 2–0 on Monday evening, using a fast start and sustained defensive pressure to defeat York College (N.Y.) on the road, 80–54.
The Bears came out firing in the first quarter, knocking down five threes in the opening frame and forcing 13 turnovers to build a 30–14 lead. Mercedes Perez (San Antonio, Texas) and Kristen Donovan (Maspeth, N.Y.) sparked the early surge, combining for nine quick points, while Nikki Grech (Northville, Mich.) converted a second-chance put-back to cap the quarter's momentum swing.
The Bears continued to dictate possession in the second quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 19–8 to take a 49–22 advantage into halftime. Judith Vila (Vilassar de Mar, Spain) provided a major lift in this stretch, hitting a corner three and finishing a run-out layup off her own steal to push the lead. Perez added a tip-in and Donovan jumped a passing lane for a breakaway layup as the Bears' pressure continued to shape tempo. St. Joseph's had already recorded 17 steals through two periods.
York made its best push in the third, finding success around the rim and trimming the deficit slightly, but the Bears had answers. Perez connected on her fifth three of the night, and Tyrah Mack (New York, N.Y.) powered inside for an offensive-rebound score that halted a developing run. St. Joseph's controlled the final quarter by managing tempo and closing defensive possessions cleanly, with Gabriella Cinque (Staten Island, N.Y.) knocking down free throws and Grech securing key rebounds to lock down the result.
Perez led all scorers with 24 points (5–8 3FG), adding five rebounds and two steals. Donovan posted 18 points and six steals, continuing her early-season two-way impact. Grech contributed 7 points and 10 rebounds, while Mack delivered eight points and eight boards off the bench. Vila Marti filled the stat sheet with five points, five steals, and four assists, helping the Bears finish with 29 steals and 41 points off 44 forced turnovers.
The Bears return to The Hill Center on Friday, November 14, to open the inaugural Defend the Den Invitational against Pratt Institute at 4 p.m.
