Postgame Interview – Turnovers led to the demise of John Jay this afternoon as the College of Staten Island women’s basketball team was able to cause the Bloodhounds to turn the ball over 27 times while the Dolphins only turned it over four times which is a season low as part of the CUNYAC/Con Edison Women’s Basketball Postseason Championship Tournament Quarterfinal.  The stout Dolphin defense mixed with the amazing ball control led to a 65-55 win over the Bloodhounds advancing them to the semifinals on Tuesday.  Staten Island will now have to take on No. 2 Brooklyn College at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24 at City College of New York.

The women jumped out to an early 9-point led by the game MVP Alyssa Carlsen who scored seven of her 11 points in the first 5 minutes of the game.  This was only Carlsen’s fifth start of the season and she put on a show in her fifteen minutes of action as she made it look easy using her versatile skill set from inside and outside the paint.

Victoria Crea also had an amazing first half as she led the Dolphins with 10 points at halftime.  Crea kept the Bloodhound defense on their toes as she used her blazing quickness and speed to weave her way in and out of defenders to find the hoop.  Crea dished the ball out to her open teammates to collect three assists tied with Christina Pasaturo for a game high. Crea would finish the game with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Staten Island led by as much as 13 points in the first half until Terri Chu cashed in on three straight three-point baskets towards the end of the half to put a good scare into the Dolphins as they saw their lead shrink to just three. 

Pasaturo had a relatively quiet first half with only five points but would heat up in the second and finish the game with a team high 15 points on 6-15 shooting.  Pasaturo really dialed in from three-point range and was left open due to the quick ball movement and the tired legs of the Bloodhounds.

The second half the Dolphins pulled away in the second half and jumped out to a 16-point lead.  The tired Bloodhounds refused to give up and were able to chip away at the Dolphin lead to just 12.  The women however, were determined to not let John Jay back into the game and held the ball for the final minutes of the game as they were fouled and sent to the free throw line.

CSI will want to improve upon their shooting heading to CCNY to take on Brooklyn as there were a lot points left on the floor for the Dolphins due to missed lay ups, which has plagued CSI all season long.  Brooklyn beat the Dolphins both times this season and CSI will hope the third time is the charm in their quest to return to the CUNYAC Finals.