The College of Staten Island women’s basketball team secured a crucial third straight win tonight against Baruch College, 82-49, on the final home game of the regular season.  The Dolphins honored three of their seniors tonight prior to the game.  Frances Gonzalez, Jamie Pifalo and Victoria Gallinaro all receive posters for their four years at Staten Island.  With the win the Dolphins improved to 15-8 overall and 12-3 in the CUNYAC while the Bearcats dropped their fourth straight to fall to 10-13 overall and 9-6 in the CUNYAC.
 
The women came out on fire and took off with an 8-0 run before Baruch’s coach was forced to call a timeout to try and slow the Dolphins’ attack.  Staten Island would come out of the timeout unfazed score another seven unanswered to put them up 15-0 with 5:02 remaining in the first quarter.  Christina Pasaturo led the charge in that 15-0 run with six points. 
 
Veronica Ganzi was able to find an open spot on the three point line and square up to shoot and sink the first basket for the Bearcats and end their scoreless streak which lasted for over five minutes.  Senior honoree Pifalo would immediately answer back with a three of her own to put the Dolphins up 17 with 3:16 remaining.  Pasaturo would finish the first quarter perfect 5-of-5 from the floor with five assists and three rebounds.
 
After only scoring two points in the first quarter senior honoree Gallinaro would put up five points in the second quarter. Gallinaro matched her first quarter steal total of three in the second quarter with three again as her quick hands were able to disrupt passes which led to 16 fast break points for the Dolphins.
 
At the half the Dolphins held a comfortable 49-11 lead over the Bearcats.  Staten Island dominated the paint and edged out Baruch 28-0 in that category.  Samantha Flecker had six points and six boards at the half while Pifalo went into the locker room with eight points on 3-4 shooting from the floor.
 
Gallinaro came out of the locker room in the third quarter and sank a three to get the Dolphins going.  CSI continued to extend their lead over middle of the pack Baruch and led by as much as 41 halfway through the third. Our final senior honoree Gonzalez tied her career high in just one quarter by shooting 67% (4-6 FG) and tallying a block and a defensive rebound.  Pasaturo, who has come close several times, finally recorded her first career triple-double in the third quarter when she inbounded a pass to Rosa Perone who layed one in for the easy basket. 
 
Gonzalez, who tied a career high in points in the third quarter, continued to sink baskets and set a new career high with 12 points before exiting the game with an injury.  The Dolphins were on cruise control at this point and were up a game high 46 points before Baruch went on a late 6-0 run to cut into the Dolphins’ lead.  The Bearcats found themselves behind by too much and weren’t able to muster up the comeback they needed to get back into the game. 
 
The Dolphins would finish the fourth quarter by using the full shot clock before taking a shot.  Jacqueline Cali was able to sink two jumper before the game came to a close. 
 
The women picked up their third straight win and look to be heading into the CUNYAC Postseason in good form and they will look to carry this momentum all the way the finals.
 
Staten Island will be back in action for their final CUNYAC game of the season on Tuesday, February 16 at CUNYAC leaders Lehman College at 5:30 PM.