Feb. 13, 2005

Box Score

BRONX, NY - Saint Joseph's women's basketball team moved into a tie for third place in the Atlantic 10 East with a 57-52 victory over Fordham Sunday afternoon at Rose Hill Gym.

The Hawks, who entered today's contest one game behind the Rams in the A-10 East standings, trailed by two, 29-27 heading into the second half.

Saint Joseph's scored the first five points of the second half to take a 32-30 lead on a pair of free throws by junior forward Faith Schutte at 18:27.

Both teams battled back and forth, with Fordham regaining the lead, 39-37, on a three-pointer by senior guard Monica Mack at 11:51.

Over the next three minutes, Saint Joseph's pulled away behind a 10-2 run. Junior guard Maura McBryan scored eight of her team-high 16 points during the Hawk run.

Fordham rallied with a quick 5-0 run, as Mack brought the Rams within one, 47-46, on a three pointer at 4:58.

The Hawks again pulled away to as many as six, 54-48, before the Rams closed to two, 54-52, with just under a minute to play.

On their next possession, Saint Joseph's used some clock and sophomore Ayahna Cornish drove for a layup to put the Hawks up four with 39 seconds remaining.

The Rams failed to convert on their next possession, with Pollock adding a late free throw to seal the Hawk victory.

In the first half, Fordham used a 10-2 run from 14:13 to 8:06 to take a 21-12 lead on a three-point play by senior guard Monica Mack.

The Hawks responded with a run of their own. Trailing 23-14, Saint Joseph's used a 9-0 run to tie the score at 23 all on a 12-foot jump shot by red-shirt freshman Erica Pollock at 3:34.

Both teams would exchange baskets over the final three and a half minutes, with Mack giving the Rams a 29-27 lead going into the half on a layup with 10 seconds remaining.

For the game, Saint Joseph's finished 19-of-56 from the field for 33.9 percent, and 7-of-18 from behind the arc. Fordham went 20-of-50 (.400) and 5-of-9 from three-point range for 55.6 percent. The Hawks also caused 16 Fordham turnovers and converted it into 19 points.

Individually, McBryan poured in 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while junior guard Christine Roth added 15 points on 5-of-7 from three-point range. Cornish added 10 points and five assists.

Jada Jefferson paced Fordham with a game-high 20 points, while Mack added 17 in the Rams' loss.

With the victory, the Hawks improve to 6-18 overall and 4-8 in the Atlantic 10. Fordham falls to 8-17 and 4-8 in the A-10 with the loss. Saint Joseph's, with the win, moves into a tie for third in the A-10 East and a game behind Massachusetts.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Thursday when the Hawks host George Washington at 7 p.m. at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.