WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Nichols College women's basketball team was defeated by the University of Saint Joseph 53-48 Thursday night in non-conference action at the O'Connell Center.
 
Senior Taylor Daniels (Dudley, Mass.) scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Bison, who shot 30 percent – including 1-of-13 from downtown. Sophomore Anna McDaniel (Taunton, Mass.) posted 11 points and six rebounds while senior Brittany Donovan (Newport, R.I.) collected five points, seven rebounds, and a pair of steals.
 
Junior Kayla Guest (Newington, Conn.) led the Blue Jays with 15 points and seven boards. Senior Carlee Putnam (Niantic, Conn.) registered 12 points and four rebounds as St. Joseph shot 34 percent and held a 50-42 edge on the glass. Sophomore Dhimitra Hatika (South Windsor, Conn.) snared 11 rebounds and chipped in with four points.
 
The Blue Jays held a four-point halftime lead (26-22) behind seven points from Guest and eight boards from Hatika. Junior Brooke Packard (Dudley, Mass.) paced the Bison with six points.
 
St. Joseph opened up a 15-point lead late in the third quarter following a layup by junior Rajeen Mayo (Middletown, Conn.). The Bison proceeded to rip off 18-4 run and take a 45-44 lead when Daniels canned a three with 4:06 to go in the fourth.
 
Guest made a layup with two minutes remaining that gave the Blue Jays a 50-48 lead. Nichols had three chances down the stretch to tie or take the lead, but a pair of missed shots and a turnover, followed by a pair of free throws from Putman, sealed the win for the home team.
 
All-Time Series
Tonight's contest was the seventh all-time meeting between Nichols College and St. Joseph (CT). The Blue Jays lead the series, 6-1.
 
Next Games
Nichols (2-18) – Saturday, February 4 @ Curry, 1:00 p.m.
St. Joseph (CT) (7-12) – Saturday, February 4 vs Johnson & Wales (RI), 1:00 p.m.