Nov. 24, 2009

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Despite a cold first-half shooting performance in which it shot just 18.5 percent (5-of-27), the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team fought back to within a possession of #21/16 Vanderbilt Tuesday evening at Michael J. Hagan '85 Arena. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the Commodores scored 12 straight points from there to pull away for the eventual win, 59-46.

Trailing by as many as 16 points, Saint Joseph's (1-3) chipped away at Vanderbilt's lead, coming within one possession in the second frame. Down 34-23 with 15:39 to go, the Hawks put together an 11-2 run over the next 3:34, making it a 36-34 ball game on a three pointer by freshman Ashley Prim. Despite making just five shots in the opening 20 minutes, Saint Joseph's went 5-for-7 during that stretch.

Vanderbilt (4-0) answered back with five points, but the Hawks countered with a three pointer from freshman Shelby Smith and a jumper by sophomore Michelle Baker to make it a 41-39 game with 9:04 left in regulation.

The Commodores took control from there, scoring 12 straight points, while Saint Joseph's was held to 0-of-11 from the floor. A layup by senior Mariame Djouara brought the Hawks within 10, but that would be as close as SJU would get.

In the first half, Saint Joseph's opened the game just 1-of-12 from the floor as Vanderbilt opened a 13-5 advantage. The Commodores would open a 16-point lead, 25-9, but free throws (7-of-11 in the half) and a pair of three pointers by the Hawks made it just a 28-19 game at the half even with just five field goals to their credit.

For the game, Saint Joseph's shot 16-of-61 from the field (26.2 percent), but converted 6-of-14 from three point range (42.9 percent) and went 8-of-12 from the foul line (66.7 percent). At the other end, Vanderbilt went 20-of-50 from the floor, 5-of-16 from behind the arc (31.3 percent) and 14-of-23 from the foul line (60.9 percent). Despite turning the ball over 20 times to the Commodores 17, the Hawks were stellar on the boards, outrebounding Vanderbilt 40640, including a season-best 20 offensive rebounds.

Individually, senior Ashley Logue posted her second straight double-double, adding 12 points and 10 rebounds. Baker snagged a career-best 10 rebounds and added six points, while Smith added nine points. Prim dished out a team-best four assists to go with six points, while seniors Amy Gillespie, Djouara and Brittany Ford rounded out SJU's scoring with seven, four and two pints, respectively.

At the other end, Hannah Tuomi went 7-of-7 from the field for 15 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds for the Commodores.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Friday, November 29, when the Hawks face Florida International at 5 p.m. in the opening round of the Golden Panthers Thanksgiving Classic.