Saint Joseph’s Women Earn 64 – 53 Win Over Rhode Island

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. 2/15/12 – The Saint Joseph’s Hawks women’s basketball team started strong in both halves, and put together an efficient and effective effort on both ends of the court to get a 64 – 53 win over the Rhode Island Rams.  The victory is the third straight for the Hawks.

“To come out and give the first punch in both halves sets the tone,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin.  “I think we did that.  We made shots and got some stops.”

Kelly Cavallo with a team-high 14 points - Courtesy of Saint Joseph's University

At the beginning of the game Saint Joseph’s went in front 21 – 4.  In that first half of play Saint Joseph’s shot 13 – 30 (43.3%). The Hawks moved the ball effectively getting the ball inside for 18 points in the paint.  They were credited with 8 assists on their 13 baskets.  The unselfish play was best exhibited by a fast break sequence that was started with a block by Senior forward Kelly Cavallo who threw an outlet pass to Sophomore guard Erin Shields.  Shields took the ball down the middle finding Senior guard Katie Kuester in the left corner.  Kuester saw Cavallo streaking down the middle, hitting her with a perfect pass for a layup.

On the defensive end Saint Joseph’s held Rhode Island to 8 – 26 (30.8%) and just 1 – 6 from beyond the arc.  The Rams were held to just two field goals in the first eight and a half minutes of the game.  The Hawks blocked 5 shots, 3 by Cavallo who takes the defensive end seriously.

“That’s something I take pride in all of the time,” said Cavallo.  “That is something I can do all of the time.”

I love it when we play well on defense,” Senior guard Michelle Baker said.  “I feel like every time we talk and work together as one when we play good defense.”

Starting the second half Saint Joseph’s pulled away to a 20 point lead in the first six and a half minutes.  The game took an offensive tone as each team began matching basket for basket.  Rhode Island began to score, but never put a run together to get close.  The eleven point deficit at the end of the game was as close as the Rams were able to get in the second half.

“Even though they were scoring on us, we got it going back,” said Baker.  “I don’t like getting scored on but it was nice we were scoring too.”

The Hawks had 3 scorers in double figures.  Cavallo led the team with 14 points adding 6 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.  Baker scored 12 points and dished out 4 assists.  Junior guard Ashley Prim scored 10 points and had 4 assists.  Saint Joseph’s made 26 – 57 from the floor (45.6%).  The Hawks dished out 18 assists on their 26 baskets, seven players were credited with assists.  The Crimson and Gray were only 4 of 17 from distance, but they were able to rely on getting points on the inside, 26 in close.

“You can’t live or die by the three,” said Griffin.  “We don’t.  We have the ability to go inside, and that’s something we want to exploit every time we are on the floor.  Be hard to guard.”

Rhode Island forward Emilie Cloutier scored a game-high 17 points.  Guards Ashley Rivera and Sherrie Session each scored 14 points.  As a team the Rams made 20 of 50 shots (40%).  Rhode Island committed 15 turnovers in the contest.

Saint Joseph’s improves to 17 – 8 for the season, and are 7 – 4 in Atlantic 1o play.  The Hawks move on to play at Charlotte.  They do so coming off a team win.

Boxscore

Written By:  Glenn Papazian

 

 

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