LADY BEARS COME BACK FROM 17 POINTS DOWN TO STUN MEDGAR EVERS

Kaitlin O’Neill

The last thing that the Lady Bears anticipated was staring at a 39 – 22 deficit with just over 5 minutes remaining in the first half during their home opener. “There was no way that we were going to lose this game,” stated a determined Kaitlin O’Neill. “We just DON’T lose at HOME !” O’Neill’s words rang true as she backed up her statement with stifling defense on Quandra Rodgers, the Cougars leading scorer, and found a way to contribute 10 points of her own to lead the Lady Bears to a thrilling 2nd half charge and a reassuring 75 – 66 win in last night’s game action at Bishop Loughlin. Down by 13 at the half, the Lady Bears employed an effective box-and-one defense mixed with some heavy full court pressure to wear down Medgar Evers by scoring 45 points after intermission en route to the big victory. “I’m proud of all of our girls tonight”, exclaimed a relieved Coach Carbone. “We came out flat and just didn’t execute on both ends of the floor in the first half. But the Lady Bears dug deep and certainly showed some determination and heart to earn this satisfying win.” Despite dressing only 8 players, St. Joe’s received key contributions from Lynette Reyes, who led all scorers and tallied her first double-double of the season, with 28 points and 10 rebounds and got a big effort from freshman guard Imelda Alston (19 points / 7 rebounds), who triggered a 11 – 0 2nd half run with 2 clutch 3 pointers and some timely steals to preserve the win. Also providing SJC with a huge lift was Tara Deahn, who came off the bench to nearly post her first career double-double, with 16 points and 9 rebounds. All in all, the Lady Bears averted disaster and sighed a huge breath of relief while evening their record at 2 – 2 on the young season.

Up next for the Lady Bears after Thanksgiving is a trip to Washington D.C. on Saturday to compete in the Gallaudet Holiday Tournament, where they face a tough opening round match-up vs. traditional power Frostburg State (Maryland) on Saturday @ 8:00 p.m. The tournament wraps up with the championship / consolation round on Sunday vs. either the host school or Southern Vermont. The Lady Bears then return home for a huge game vs. perennial Hudson Valley Conference rival Mount St. Vincent on Tuesday evening, November 28th @ 7:30 p.m.

Happy Thanksgiving from the entire St. Joe’s Athletic Department !!!