PURCHASE, N.Y. – A phenomenal performance out of rookie Amanda Orlando (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) led the Manhattanville College women's basketball team on Tuesday evening as the Valiants notched a 71-39 victory over conference foe Sarah Lawrence inside Kennedy Gymnasium. The victory improves the team's record to 13-2 on the season while moving to 9-1 in conference play.

Entering the game with a string of four-straight games in double-figures, Orlando erupted for a season-high 24 points in what was the best performance of an already strong first year on the court. The first-year guard shot 64 percent, hitting nine field goals while going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. In addition to setting another career-high with four steals, Orlando collected a pair of rebounds, dished out two assists and blocked a shot all while not getting charged with a single foul.

With Orlando leading the way, three other scorers were able to reach double-figures to help the Valiants secure their third straight win. Coming off a career-high 22-point outing on Saturday, Jamison Agostino (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville) scored 14. The junior hit another pair of three pointers, leading the conference with 53 deep balls on the year, while collecting three rebounds and three assists.

Julianna Kascic (North Bergen, N.J./Paramus Catholic) bounced back from her first single-digit scoring performance in 12 games with her ninth double-double of the season, scoring 12 with a team-high 12 rebounds. Her 171 boards on the campaign ranks second in the Skyline. Another rookie putting together a strong outing was Gabby Tucker (Port Chester, N.Y./Blind Brook), as the Port Chester native scored a season-high 10 points on four field goals and pair of free throws while matching Agostino's three assists for the team high of the night.

Despite the 32-point margin of victory, the Gryphons held around during the first half as the team shot 41 percent from the field over the opening 20 minutes. While the Valiants shot 43 percent in the same duration, Sarah Lawrence kept hot on Manhattanville's tail through the early going. Manhattanville opened on a 6-0 run through the opening three minutes before the Gryphons tied the game up at 10-10 with 4:03 remaining. Colleen Coughlin hit a three to give Sarah Lawrence their first lead of the night with 1:23 left on the clock, but a Kristen Scrobola (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas High School) layup for the quarter's final basket sent the Valiants into the second quarter down by a single point, 13-12.

While a 6-2 Manhattanville run to begin the second put the Valiants back ahead, the Gryphons' solid shooting prevented the home team from gaining too much separation. The Valiant lead never eclipsed three over the first eight minutes of the quarter while Sarah Lawrence would hold a pair of leads in the frame. After Jordyn Medina hit a pair of free throws for the Gryphons to make it a one point game with 3:34 to go, 24-23, the Valiants would finally get the run they needed to get breathing room. Agostino went on a 7-0 run by herself to close out the half, nailing a three pointer in the closing seconds to put the Valiants up 31-23 at the half.

The Gryphons were unable to carry their shooting success into the second half, going 0-for-9 from the field in the third quarter. With Sarah Lawrence scoring just four points via free throws, the Valiants were able to start running away with this one. Manhattanville would go on a 12-0 run over a span of 6:26, swelling their advantage up to 47-26. While the Gryphons were able to find their shot from the field again in the fourth with five field goals, the Valiants outscored Sarah Lawrence 24-12 over the final 10 minutes. Manhattanville closed out the night with a 12-1 scoring margin over the final 3:41 to head into a big contest on Thursday on a high note.

Up Next
Merchant Marine comes to town on Thursday to close out the regular-season series. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. in Kennedy Gymnasium.