Feb. 15, 2007

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Playing their last regular-season game on Hawk Hill, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball seniors were determined to earn a win in their final game at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. Combining for 56 points and 21 rebounds, SJU's seniors Ayahna Cornish, Whitney Ffrench, Erica Pollock and Zoya Pavlovskaya led the Hawks to a 76-67 over St. Bonaventure Thursday evening.

In a back-and-forth game, the Hawks trailed 3-0 to start the game, but controlled the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half. Up 12-9, Saint Joseph's used a 9-2 run, capped by a pair of Cornish free throws, to open its biggest lead, 21-11, with 9:59 remaining in the half.

The Bonnies cut the deficit to two, 23-21, behind an 8-0 run, but the Hawks answered back to regain a 10-point advantage, 35-25 with 1:32 left.

Saint Joseph's would give up four-straight points, and head into the half up 35-29.

In a gritty second half, Cornish scored 11 straight points for Saint Joseph's as the Bonnies attempted to rally. Up 51-46, Cornish helped the Hawks maintain their offense, as St. Bonaventure slowly chipped away behind a 16-11 run to tie the game at 62 with 5:35 left in the game.

With 3:34 remaining in the game and the score knotted at 64, the Hawks scored seven straight points, to take a commanding 71-64 edge with 44 seconds left and hold on for the win.

For the game, the Hawks shot 26-of-53 from the field (49.1 percent), 5-of-10 from three-point range and 19-of-23 from the foul line (82.6 percent). At the other end, the Bonnies went 25-of-63 from the floor (39.7 percent), 4-of-12 from behind the arc and 13-of-15 from the foul line (86.7 percent).

Individually, Cornish led all scorers with a career-high 29 points and five rebounds, while Pollock posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ffrench added 12 points and two assists in her final game at Hawk Hill.

Dana Mitchell led SBU with 19 points, while Ashley Edwards added 17 points and 12 rebounds. Saint Joseph's returns to action Saturday, February 17 at noon at Dayton.

****Photos from tonight's game are available at www.sidephotos.com