KINGS POINT, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) women's basketball team, entering the afternoon at 4–1 overall and 1–1 in Skyline Conference play, played its first conference road game of the season on Saturday at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, falling 48-76.
The Bears struck first behind Kristen Donovan's (Maspeth, N.Y.) early three and kept pace through the opening minutes as Emma Centrella (Varese, Italy) scored inside to tie the game at 8–8. The Mariners responded with an 11–0 run built on second-chance points and stops in the half-court. A Centrella block, Mercedes Perez's (San Antonio, Texas) defensive pressure, and Nikki Grech's (Northville, Mich.) early rebounding steadied the Bears defensively. Despite the efforts, USMMA closed the quarter ahead 19–8.
The Bears found more rhythm in the second period. Domenika Sanchez (Guayaquil, Ecudaor) got SJBK on the board with a strong drive, followed by Perez's right-wing three as the Mariner lead narrowed. Donovan added a jumper, and Jizelle Velazquez (New York, N.Y.) converted a put-back during a stretch where the Bears pulled within single digits. Merchant Marine, however, capitalized on offensive rebounds and timely perimeter shooting to extend its advantage to 40–20 at halftime.
St. Joseph's produced its most fluid quarter in the third, matching USMMA 15–14 while generating several well-timed defensive stops. Perez buried two threes in the frame, and Grech powered her way to a pair of interior scores during a 10–3 Bears run. Judith Vila (Vilassar de Mar, Spain) added a jumper, and Centrella's work on the boards helped create second-chance looks as the Bears trimmed into the deficit before entering the fourth trailing 55–34.
Perez opened the final quarter with another three, and Donovan followed with a mid-range jumper as the Bears continued to battle. Velazquez, Aaniya Telford (Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Gabriella Cinque (Staten Island, N.Y.) added defensive pressure and rebounding off the bench. The Mariners, however, closed strong in the final minutes to preserve the result.
Donovan led the Bears with 14 points, adding three rebounds and two steals, while Perez finished with 11 points, two boards, and four assists. Grech contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, Centrella totaled four points and five boards.
The Bears return home on Tuesday, November 25, hosting Purchase College at 6 p.m. inside The Hill Center.
