December 2, 2005

Box Score

MANHATTAN, KS - Hot-shooting from beyond the arc to open the contest and a season-high eight three-point baskets sparked Saint Joseph's (5-0) to an impressive 69-45 victory over Houston (1-4) in the semifinals of the Commerce Bank Wildcat Classic at Bramlage Coliseum. Junior guard Ayahna Cornish paced three Hawks in double-figures with a team-high 14 points as SJU advanced to the finals of an in-season tournament for the seventh time in eight tries under head coach Cindy Griffin.

The Crimson and Gray connected on back-to-back threes to open the contest and then used a 10-2 spurt over an eleven minute stretch early in the first half to take command of the game, 23-9. Houston would get the Hawk lead under double digits briefly late in the opening half, but freshman center Hillary Klimowicz connected on consecutive buckets to cap a 9-0 run late in the opening stanza that put SJU on top 39-22 and Saint Joseph's never looked back.

The Hawk lead would balloon to as many as 25 in the second half and Griffin was able to empty the bench as the Hawks cruised to the victory.

"We came out to the Wildcat Classic not to play in two games, but rather to win two. We have now set ourselves up to accomplish that goal tomorrow," said Saint Joseph's head coach Cindy Griffin. "I was very pleased with our offensive game today. We had a very team oriented offense today getting 20 assists on 22 field goals."

For the game, the Hawks finished 22-of-56 from the floor, while the Cougars finished 18-of-66. From the line, Saint Joseph's finished 17-of-23, as Houston shot just 5-of-10. In addition to the team's three-point proficiency, a decisive 51-33 advantage on the glass aided Saint Joseph's. Six different Hawks corralled four or more rebounds.

Sophomore guard Timisha Gomez, who tallied all 11 of her points in the first half, and Klimowicz (10 points, 7 rebounds) also finished in double figures.

Jasmin Moore paced the Cougars with a game-high 16 points.

With the victory the Hawks will face tournament host and 2005 NCAA Tournament participant Kansas State or Texas-Pan American on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.