LADY BEARS RETURN HOME FROM LONG ROAD TRIP WITH DISAPPOINTING 2 - 4 MARK.

Wins vs. Fisher (Ma.) and Wesleyan (Ga.) are lone bright spots on rugged 2,400+ mile journey.

The Lady Bears wrapped up 2006 and entered 2007 by embarking on their longest road trip of the season – which started with a 15 minute subway ride to NYC Tech and ended with a 1,000 mile plane ride back from Georgia. The trip started with high expectations of St. Joe’s perhaps returning back home to Brooklyn with a + .500 record, but instead the Lady Bears returned weary, wounded and otherwise worn out with a disappointing 6 – 10 mark. The Lady Bears battled gallantly throughout the extended trip and faced some tough competition, which was highlighted by a 4 game / 4 city swing through Alabama and Georgia.

After dropping a hard fought contest vs. NYC Tech, 55-51, the LB’s rebounded by topping NAIA Division II opponent Fisher College (Boston), with a convincing 62-46 win. Lynette Reyes led the way with her 3rd double-double of the season in a fine all-around performance, tallying 14 points and 12 rebounds, along with 5 assists and 3 steals as St. Joe’s closed out 2006 on a winning note. The Lady Bears then boarded a plane for their adventure down south, where they faced Wesleyan College (Macon, Ga.) and rolled to a 68-60 win behind yet another double-double (19 & 11) from Reyes. Annamarie Ciorciari nearly notched her 2nd career triple-double, pouring in 13 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds to boost St. Joe’s record to within one game of .500 and earn them a modest 2 game winning streak to start 2007. However, all momemtum came to a screeching halt vs. Spelman College (Atlanta) as the LB’s shot a miserable 3-26 from the field in the 1st half and dropped a 51-37 decision. Miraculously, the Lady Bears trailed by just 3 points after Ciorciari hit her 1st 3 pointer of the season with just under 5 minutes remaining, but SJC was totally shut down from that point forward, leading to the double digit win for Spelman. After a much needed off-day, which featured lots of driving, a new time zone, a visit to the World of Coca-Cola, a pit stop in the mud of Talladega and a Division 1 doubleheader at Samford, the Lady Bears reached the historic town of Selma, Alabama where they camped out in anticipation of 2 more quality opponents.

The first game in Alabama took place against traditional Great South Conference power Huntingdon College, where the Lady Bears captured some lightning in a bottle and roared out to an early 7 point cushion. After a back-and-forth first half, an undermanned St. Joe’s squad was eventually worn down by a relentless Huntingdon attack, which featured 13 players getting significant minutes as the home team rolled to a convincing 68-47 victory. On the bright side for the Lady Bears, Svetlana Medvedeva turned in a career high in points with 10 and Julia Serewko notched a career best 15 rebounds in the defeat. To make matters worse, the entire team was forced to take shelter for an hour after the game in the appropriately named Brick House as the entire Montgomery area was engulfed by a severe tornado warning (which touched down a mere 20 miles away). Finally, it was off to the tiny little farming town of Marion to face off against USCAA rival Judson College, where the Lady Bears turned in an inspired effort on weary legs before falling just short, 69-67, in the most exciting game of the trip. Trailing by 11 points with just under 4 minutes remaining in the contest, SJC battled back to forge a 67-67 tie with 10 second left on a clutch 3 pointer by Reyes. Unfortunately, the LB’s were done in by a costly foul as Judson’s Kendra Ferguson calmly sank 2 free throws to secure the win for the Eagles with just 4 seconds left in the game.

While the Lady Bears were certainly disappointed in the final game results of their long, 6 game road trip, they certainly came away with a terrific travel experience and hope to regain some lost momentum with this upcoming four game home stand, which features two important USCAA match-ups and finishes with a huge Hudson Valley conference game vs. the College of St. Elizabeth.