The College of Staten Island women’s basketball team stayed sharp on Friday, powering to a 79-60 win over Medgar Evers College on the road as part of CUNYAC play. The Dolphins improved to 10-6 overall and 6-2 within the conference, while the Cougars fell to 1-14, 1-7, respectively.
The key to the big win was a great start for the Dolphins, who went ahead early and never looked back, leading by double-digits most of the way.
It took some time for the Dolphins to get uncorked, as MEC grabbed an early 10-7 lead, as the Cougars got five points each from Danyelle Foster and Elesha Dieudonne. Two straight jumpers by Samantha Flecker, however, put CSI back up, and after trading baskets, the Dolphins used a big, 13-0, run in the final 3:09 of the first quarter to take a 32-17 lead to close the frame. Flecker added another two lay-ups and Christina Pasaturo drained a three to end the stanza.
CSI extended to as much as a 19-point lead in the second half on another Pasaturo three, and CSI took a 49-32 lead into the lockers. It was more of the same in the second half. A three-point play by Foster cut CSI’s lead to 61-50 at one point, and Medgar would cut the lead to 10 with 7:41 to go. But CSI stayed the course, getting a three-point play from Victoria Gallinaro to surge forward.
The Dolphins held MEC scoreless in the final 3:05 of the game, finishing on a modest, 6-0, run to finally settle for a 79-60 win.
CSI was led by Pasaturo’s 26 points, adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Flecker topped out at 20 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Gallinaro added 10 as CSI shot 45% from the field and 38% from the arc. MEC was led by Nia Tompkins’ 20 points, while Foster added 19 points and a healthy 16 rebounds.
?Up next for CSI will be a date with Hunter College at the Sports & Recreation Center on Wednesday, January 20, at 5:30pm.
