Brooklyn, NY --- Senior point guard Ariel Smith (Newburgh, NY/Wallkill) recorded a triple-double (23 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) to help the Brooklyn College Women's Basketball team extend its winning streak to four, as the Bulldogs defeated the visiting Seahawks of Briarcliffe College earlier today, 77-65, at the West Quad Center Gym. Brooklyn improves to 4-2 overall on the year, while Briarcliffe falls to 3-3.
Smith's triple-double is the first triple-double for the BC Women's Basketball program since the 2002-2003 season, when Kelly Weismuller recorded 25 points, 14 rebounds and 14 blocks against Medgar Evers College on January 14, 2003.
The first half featured a tight battle as both teams looked to take control. The Bulldogs would strike first taking an early seven point lead, 12-5, with 14:24 remaining in the half. Junior Justine O'Callahan (Floral Park, NY/Floral Park) led the Brooklyn offensive charge scoring eight of the 12 points. The Seahawks would quickly erase their deficit utilizing a 12-0 run to take a 17-12 lead midway through the opening half. The teams would trade baskets down the stretch as Briarcliffe headed into the locker room with a 33-27 halftime advantage.
Brooklyn came out of the locker room on a mission to keep their winning streak alive, as the Bulldogs scored the first eight points of the second half to take a 35-33 lead. Smith keyed the run nailing a pair of three-pointers. Trailing by three, 49-46, with 11:31 left in the game, Brooklyn used a 20-1 run to take the game over for good, building a 16-point lead, 66-50, with 6:21 remaining. The Bulldogs would never look back as Brooklyn would go on to cruise to the 77-65 victory.
Smith finished the game with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the triple-double. O'Callahan also had a solid afternoon for the Bulldogs, recording a new career-high for points in a game with a game-high 25 points on 12-for-17 shooting from the field. Her previous career-high of 22 points was set on January 3, 2009 against Pine Manor College. O'Callahan also grabbed seven rebounds on the day. Senior Elisha Raiford (Long Island City, NY/William C. Bryant) chipped in with 15 points and six rebounds.
For the Seahawks, Ifeanyi Ofili netted a game-high with 25 points, while Simone Thomas finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds for the double-double. Jessica Little was a force in the middle all game long for Briarcliffe, with 10 rebounds and six blocked shots.
Brooklyn will be back in action this Tuesday, December 7th, as the Bulldogs will play host to borough rival Saint Joseph's College (Brooklyn). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the West Quad Center Gym.
Brooklyn Downs Briarcliffe, 77-65, for Fourth Straight Victory; Smith Records Triple-Double
Dec 04, 2010