Baruch College used an overpowering inside game to move past the College of Staten Island women’s basketball team in CUNYAC action, 77-51, played earlier today at the Sports & Recreation Center in Staten Island, New York.  The Bearcats improved to 8-7 overall and 4-1 in CUNYAC play while the Dolphins fell to 5-8, 2-2, respectively.

A three-point goal by Katelyn Hepworth for the Dolphins gave the home team a 3-2 lead 1:28 into the stanza, but it would prove to be CSI’s only lead of the game, as the Bearcats raced to a 17-2 run over the next four minutes to ward off the Dolphins for what would eventually be the remainder of the contest.  Jessica Duleba drained a pair of back-to-back three’s to spark the run. 

The game bounced back-and-forth in the opening stanza from there, as baskets by Olivia Tierno and another Hepworth three kept CSI in range, before another 8-1 run to close the half for the Bearcats gave the visitors a commanding, 51-26, edge at the half.  Consecutive lay-ups by Sheridan Taylor did the final damage going into the lockers.  It was clear by this time how Baruch was dominating inside, outscoring the Dolphins 28-2 in the paint while building what would eventually be a 55-40 edge on the boards.

After Baruch scored the first two buckets of the second frame to open up a 29-point lead, CSI did restore some pride, playing valiantly, stepping up their defense and going hard to the basket to draw fouls.  Over seven minutes, the Dolphins captured a 14-1 run, aided by a Jaclyn Tocco three-pointer and inside baskets by Tierno and Danielle Kartalis.  Baruch had an answer though, capitalizing on a CSI bench technical to spark an 18-8 run over the next 8+ minutes.

Baruch had four players in double figures, led by Duleba’s 13 points.  Taylor added 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Folashade Akinde finished with 11 points and 7 boards.  CSI was led by Tierno’s 13 markers to go with five rebounds, while Hepworth added 12 points.  CSI was forced into 26 turnovers while shooting just 23.4% from the field.

The Dolphins will next be in action on Wednesday, January 18, at 7:30pm, when they host the City College of New York in continued conference play.