The College of Staten Island women’s basketball squad fell for the third-straight time tonight, falling to PSU-Harrisburg in the opening round of the Susquehanna Pepsi Tip-Off Tournament in Selinsgrove, PA, 65-59.  The Dolphins had their fair share of chances, but fell to 1-3 overall, while the Lions lifted to 1-2.  CSI will play Rosemont College in the consolation round of tournament play tomorrow afternoon.

In a see-saw first half the Dolphins had the lead most of the way despite shooting just a hair over 30% from the floor in the frame.  PSU led 7-4 early, but a 14-4 run by the Dolphins, spearheaded by two Alyssa Carlsen buckets gave CSI an 18-11 lead, its biggest of the game at 7:58. 

The low-scoring affair continued, but the Dolphins would only score 10 points in the final eight minutes, and a Kiara Carter lay-up for PSU gave her team a 27-25 lead which would ultimately lead to a 29-28 lead at intermission.

A Janel Brown layup gave PSU a bigger lead in the second frame, and while the Dolphins continued to be icy in the field and at the free throw line, PSU went on a big 12-2 run that opened up a 46-33 lead at 10:49 left in the frame.

From there, CSI tried to chip away, from continued struggling from the free-throw line coupled with costly turnovers cost the Dolphins dearly.  Still the team had its chances, and CSI cut the lead to a single possession on a couple of occasions.  A Victoria Crea three cut the lead to 57-54 with 40 seconds to go, but PSU’s Jasmine Yanich sunk two free-throws to put her team back up.  Two Ashley Iannacone freebies put CSI down only two, 61-59 with just 12 seconds to go, but again, two free-throws and then a CSI turnover did the team in.  It was a telling end to a frustrating night. 

CSI shot just 28.6% from the field (20-70) and committed a whopping 23 turnovers while shooting a chilly 11-22 from the free-throw line.  PSU shot 32.8% from the field but enjoyed an 18-22 stretch from the line (81.8%) certainly making that a key in the win.

Iannacone led all CSI scorers with 14 points, while Crea added 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Carter led all Lions with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Dolphins will face Rosemont tomorrow, who lost to host Susquehanna, 72-67.