Jan. 29, 2006

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Behind the second double-double for freshman center Hillary Klimowicz's young career, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team downed Rhode Island 75-47 Sunday at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

The Hawks jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead to start the game and never trailed. Leading by four, 18-14, with 6:27 remaining in the first half, Saint Joseph's broke the game open with a 10-2 run as freshman guard Jenna Loschiavo capped it with a three pointer at 4:11.

Saint Joseph's took a 35-24 edge into the half as it finished 15-of 29 from the field for 51.7 percent.

Leading 37-28, the Hawks opened a 17-2 run from 19:01 to 14:27 of the second period as junior guard Ayahna Cornish accounted for six of her team-high 17 during the run.

Saint Joseph's would open a 32-point advantage, 70-38, over the final 14 minutes, as Rhode Island got no closer than 22.

For the game, the Hawks finished 28-of-55 from the field for 50.9 percent, including nine from behind the arc. At the other end, Rhode Island shot just 32.7 percent, going 16-of-49 from the field and 1-of-7 from three-point range. Saint Joseph's won the battle on the boards, out rebounding the Rams 40-25.

Individually, Cornish led the way for the Hawks with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a career-high three from behind the arc. She also added five assists and four rebounds, as Klimowicz scored 14 and added 10 rebounds and five blocks. Freshman guard Jen Oyler and senior forward Maura McBryan added 11 points apiece.

Individually for the Rams, sophomore guard Safi Mojidi led all scorers with 18 points, as senior forward Tanya Rhodes added 15.

With the victory, the Hawks improved to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in the Atlantic 10 play, while Rhode Island fell to 5-14 overall and 2-6 in the A-10.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Thursday as the Hawks host Fordham at 7 p.m.