JAMAICA, N.Y.— The John Jay women's basketball team opened the 2013 calendar year with a conference win as the Bloodhounds defeated York College 59-53 on the road Friday evening.
 
The win improves John Jay to 3-1 in City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) play and 5-6 overall. York College falls to 0-11 (0-4 CUNYAC) this season.
 
John Jay was led by Jamecia Forsythe who had a huge game of 19 points and 17 rebounds. She connected on eight of 11 field goal attempts. Teammate Victoria Story added 16 points in the win. York College was led by Ishonda McFarland with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Angelika Ruggiano had nine assists and five steals for the Cardinals.
 
The contest was close throughout with neither team leading by more than five points in the first half and, most of the second half.
 
However, after nine lead changes in the second stanza, John Jay took the lead for good with 7:53 to go on a made foul shot by Amber Villegas. The lead came in the midst of a 10-0 run that gave the Bloodhounds their biggest win of the night as John Jay led 51-42 with 5:17 to go.
 
York cut its deficit to four in the latter moments of the game, but the Bloodhounds had enough to hold the Cardinals at bay.
 
John Jay held a 64-37 edge on rebounding, and the Bloodhounds held a 16-6 edge on second chance points.
 
John Jay returns to action on Tue. Jan. 8 for a home contest against Medgar Evers College at 5 p.m.