Nov. 27, 2009

Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. - Backed by a season-best 25-of-47 shooting performance (53.2 percent) and the first career double-double by sophomore forward Kelly Cavallo, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team topped Florida International, 64-48, to advance to the title game of the FIU Golden Panthers Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday. Saint Joseph's will play St. John's for the tournament championship at 2 p.m.

Despite getting down by eight early in the contest, Saint Joseph's composure never faltered. The Hawks used a 17-4 run midway through the opening half to erase a seven-point deficit and open up their biggest advantage of the first stanza. Saint Joseph's went 6-of-9 from the floor during that stretch, with freshman Ashley Prim capping the run with a transition layup to put her team up 28-22 at 1:59.

Saint Joseph's (2-3) took a 28-25 lead into the second half, but the Golden Panthers regained the lead, 31-30, 4:14 into the final half. The Hawks answered back with seven-straight points as a transition layup by senior guard Mariame Djouara at 14:38 gave SJU a 37-31 lead.

Florida International (2-3) made it a 42-41 game on a jumper by Cherisse Buddy at 10:28, but the Hawks came back with an 11-2 run to all but seal the win. Saint Joseph's held the Golden Panthers to 1-of-6 from the floor and caused four turnovers during that time, with FIU's offensive threat, Fanni Hutlassa, fouling out and point guard, Michelle Gonzalez, leaving the game with an injury.

Up 53-43, the Hawks scored with ease in the final minutes on transition baskets and shot 4-of-4 from the foul line.

As a team, the Haws went 11-of-13 from the foul line (84.6 percent) and 3-of-11 from three-point range (27.3 percent) on top of their season-best shooting from the floor. The Golden Panthers went just 20-of-66 from the field (30.3 percent), 6-of-20 from behind the arc and just 2-of-6 from the foul line. Saint Joseph's won the battle on the boards, 36-35, but gave up 16 offensive rebounds.

Individually, Cavallo set several personal bests in her first career start. She finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds, both career highs, to go with two blocks and an assist. Senior guard Amy Gillespie finished with a game-high 15 points, while Djouaraa added 11 points and a team-high four assist. Junior forward Dominique Bryant had eight points and five rebounds, while sophomore guard Michelle Baker has eight points as well. Prim and senior forward Brittany Ford each added six points apiece to round out the scoring for SJU.

At the other end, Gonzalez finished with a team-high 11 points, while Marquita Adley had a team-best 10 rebounds to go with eight points.