NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Behind a season-high 26 points in the fourth quarter, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team prevailed, 67-49, on the road over the Trailblazers of MCLA Thursday night in its final non-conference game of the season, held inside Amsler Campus Center Gym.
It was a tightly contested contest through three quarters, with the Blue Jays clinging to a two-point lead as MCLA looked for its first win of the season. Both teams struggled offensively through three periods, but the Blue Jays and head coach Wendy Davis went to the bench to get the spark they needed. USJ outscored MCLA 11-0 in bench points in the final period, and opened the quarter on a 10-0 run. They would lead by double digits the rest of the way. It marked the first road win of the 2021-22 season for the Blue Jays.
Saint Joseph was led by sophomore forward Jordan Ouellette (Bristol, Conn.), who tied a career-high with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. She also added five rebounds in the triumph. Junior point guard and captain Amanda Fudge (Middletown, Conn.), who was coming off a career-high 27 points for the Blue Jays on Tuesday night versus Mitchell, added 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior guard Silvana Barcomb(Middletown, Conn.) and freshman guard Janai Oliver (Hartford, Conn.) were key contributors off the bench in this one, combining for 12 points. The visitors were 19-of-21 (90.5%) from the foul line as well Tuesday night. It marks the first time women's basketball has shot 90+ percent from the free throw line in a game since Jan. 30, 2016 against Saint Joseph's College of Maine (20-22 FT, 90.9%).
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Saint Joseph 67, MCLA 49
Records: USJ 5-3, MCLA 0-9
Location: Amsler Campus Center Gym | North Adams, Mass.
COACH QUOTE [Wendy Davis] "The key in this one had to be all of the players who came off the bench, especially Silvana Barcomb, Inanna Rice, Lindsey Montminyand Janai Oliver. It gave us the spark we needed in that fourth quarter. We were really having a hard time up until that point. I am proud of them for being ready to play when their number was called. They really changed the complexion of this game."
UP NEXT
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Saturday, December 11 in a GNAC home contest against the AMCATS of Anna Maria College, part of a doubleheader with men's basketball. Women's hoops hosts Anna Maria at 1:00 p.m., and the men will follow at approximately 3:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here, or you can catch all the action from both games live on www.usjbluejays.com.
Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays