Jan. 3, 2012
Box Score
HAMDEN, Conn. -
The Saint Joseph's women's basketball took control early and never trailed as the Hawks downed Quinnipiac, 71-54, Tuesday evening at TD Banks sports Center. The win, the fourth in a row for the Hawks, improved their record to 9-4 overall as senior center Samira van Grinsven and junior guard Ashley Prim paced SJU with 12 points.
The Hawks took momentum off the tip, opening a 16-2 lead on a jumper by senior guard Katie Kuester just five minutes in. Saint Joseph's hit 7of-9 to start the contest, while the Bobcats were held to just 1-of-8 from the floor.
Down 20-4, Quinnipiac (9-4) fought back to make it a 29-19 game with 6:24 left in the half. However, Saint Joseph's countered, scoring eight straight points as sophomore guard Kasie Parker upped the Hawks' lead to 37-19 on a three pointer at 4:43.
The Bobcats chipped away to make it a 38-25 game with under two minutes to go, but Saint Joseph's got a put back layup by sophomore forward Ilze Gotfrida and four free throws by redshirt sophomore forward Ashley Robinson to end the half and take a 44-25 advantage into halftime.
In the second half, the Hawks quickly outscored the Bobcats 9-3 to start to take a 53-28 lead. Saint Joseph's kept answering the Quinnipiac baskets for the majority of the second half, as a late rally by the Bobcats was too late as the game was already decided.
As a team, the Hawks hit 26-of-50 from the field (52 percent) and held Quinnipiac to just 18-of-72 from the floor (25 percent).
Individually, Parker added 11 points off the bench, while senior guard Michelle Baker finished with 10 points. Senior forward Kelly Cavallo had a game-high 13 rebounds and seven points.
Samantha Guastella paced the Bobcats with a game-high 16 points.
The Hawks return to action this Saturday at Massachusetts. Game time is set for 2 p.m. for SJU's Atlantic 10 opener.