Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Patchogue, NY| Rynese Smith carried the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's basketball team to its first back-to-back win in three years in the 56-55 overtime victory over U.S. Merchant Marine Academy on Thursday afternoon at the Danzi Center. The Golden Eagles improve to 5-10 (2-4 Skyline), as the Mariners slide to a 5-8 (0-6 Landmark) record on the year.
The Mariners started the game with a 11-1 run in to the fifth minute of the first quarter. Andrea Iavarone pulled SJC within five, 11-7, at the 3:33 mark. The two teams traded baskets until the end of the quarter with USMMA leading the Golden Eagles 18-11.
USMMA got the scoring started in the seventh minute of the second quarter to hold a 20-11 lead. The two teams continued to trade possession with SJC still trailing the Mariners at halftime 30-20.
The Golden Eagles started to close the gap to six, 36-30, after a made layup from Iavarone at the 5:05 mark. After baskets were traded by both parties, Smith closed out the third quarter with a pair of free throws to cut the Golden Eagles deficit to one, 39-38.
The Mariners were able to score five points in five minutes to pull away with the 44-38 lead at the 5:16 mark. In the final minute of action Sam Drake knock down the a pair of free throws increase USMMA's lead 46-42. After a foul by Smith, with :22 seconds left to play the Mariners went to the free throw line, in which both free throws were missed, Jackie Zizzo made the rebound. Smith then took the late three to pull SJC within one, 46-45, with 10 seconds left. The Mariners went to the line after a foul by the Golden Eagles, Kelsey Hofmann sunk both free throws to take a 48-45 lead. In the closing seconds of the game Caroline Gehring feed the ball to an open Smith who sunk the game-tying three pointer to send the game into overtime 48-48.
The two teams found themselves in a back and forth battle once more, but USMMA pulled away with a 55-52 lead with :55 seconds left in overtime. Iavarone scored a layup with :31 seconds left , as SJC continued to trail 55-54. USMMA had possession of the ball with :23 seconds on the clock, but Asia Rountree caused a turnover and feed Iavarone the open layup to give the Golden Eagles the 56-55 win.
Iavarone lead the team with 19 points and 12 rebounds, she also added with four blocks. Smith scored 13 points, going 5-6 from the charity stripe, grabbed seven boards, and assisted with four points.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, January 16 when they travel to Newburg, NY to face Mount Saint Mary College at 3:00 PM. Live stats will be available here on sjcgoldeneagles.com.