Feb. 17, 2005

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's basketball mounted a 12-2 run over the final two minutes to cut their deficit to three, but George Washington knocked down two late free throws to escape with a 60-55 win Thursday evening at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.

Trailing by 12, 54-42, with 2:26 remaining, the Hawks mounted a 12-2 run to come within three, 58-55, with 20 seconds remaining. Sophomore guard Ayahna Cornish sparked the Saint Joseph's run with seven points, as red-shirt freshman Erica Pollock brought the Hawks within a possession on a layup with 20 ticks remaining.

Following two free throws by George Washington's Anna Montanana, Saint Joseph's rushed down the court for a quick score. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Cornish's three pointer was off the mark and the Colonials dribbled out the clock.

After holding a slim 25-23 lead at the half, George Washington slowly extended its lead early in the second stanza. The Colonials outscored the Hawks 8-2 to start the second half, taking a 33-25 lead on a three pointer by Kimberly Beck at 16:06.

The Hawks fought back and used a 7-2 run to find themselves down 35-32 with 13:12 remaining.

George Washington quickly responded with a 6-0 run, and extended their lead to as many as 12 before the Saint Joseph's late run.

In the first half, the Hawks jumped out to a 7-2 lead, only to see George Washington chip away to take the lead, 10-9, 9:25 into the half. The Colonials pulled away by as many as five, but Saint Joseph's found themselves down only two at intermission thanks to junior Maura McBryan's 16 first-half points.

For the game, the Hawks went 18-of-50 from the field (.360) and 5-of-13 from behind the arc (.385), while the Colonials finished 24-of-55 (.436) and 1-of-7 from three-point range (.143). George Washington won the battle on the boards 39-32 and outscored Saint Joseph's 44-20 in the paint.

Individually, McBryan paced the Hawks with a career-best 20 points. Cornish added 16 points and three assists, while Pollock added a team-high six rebounds and eight points.

Montanana led George Washington with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds. Beck and Kenan Cole both added nine points for the Colonials

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 5-19 overall and 4-9 in the Atlantic 10. George Washington improves to 17-7 overall and 10-3 in A-10 play.

Saint Joseph's returns to action Sunday when it travels to Rhode Island for a 2 p.m. start.