Feb. 15, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's women's basketball guards Ayahna Cornish and Christine Roth will miss the remainder of the 2005-06 season for the Hawks.

Cornish, who sat out Sunday's game versus Dayton, will miss the remainder of the season after suffering tears to the ACL and Medial Meniscus as well as spraining the MCL in her left knee. The junior guard suffered the injury during the first half of Saint Joseph's contest at Massachusetts as she made a drive towards the basket. The Hawks leading scorer at 12.1 points per game, Cornish was having her best overall season to date in the Crimson and Gray, averaging a career-best 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Earlier this season, Cornish helped Saint Joseph's to the Kansas State Wildcat Classic title, garnering MVP honors. Over the two-day tournament, Cornish averaged 17 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists, earning her Big 5 Player of the Week honors as well.

Senior Christine Roth.

A senior, guard, Roth will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left ankle injury. A transfer from Genesse Community College, Roth has averaged 5.6 points per game during her two seasons with the Hawks. A three-point specialist, Roth sat out the final six games of the 2004-05 season due to injury and has missed the previous eight games for Saint Joseph's this season.

"It obviously hurts losing two of our veteran players to injury for the season," said Saint Joseph's Head Coach Cindy Griffin. "Unfortunately injuries are part of the game. The depth of our team this year has been an asset and now other players will have the opportunity to step up and fill new roles."

Saint Joseph's (16-7, 8-4 Atlantic 10, 1-1 Big 5) returns to action Friday as the Hawks head to city-rival Temple for an 8 p.m. tip. The game, which will be broadcasted by A-10 TV, will air locally on CN8.