The Saint Joseph’s University Hawks used a 27-10 run over the course of 10:36 in the second half on Monday night, pulling away for a 74-48 women’s basketball win over the Maine Black Bears at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Saint Joseph’s (7-2) never trailed, starting the game on a 12-3 run leading by as many as 12 in the opening quarter and 18-9 after 10 minutes. Maine got back within five on a three-pointer by Olivia Rockwood 3:12 into the second, before the Hawks used a run of 7-0 to push the advantage back to 12. The hosts led 35-28 at the halftime break. Another Rockwood three-pointer cut it to 37-31 with 8:15 left in the third quarter, but that is as close as the Black Bears would get for the remainder of the evening. Saint Joseph’s responded ending the period by scoring 19 of the final 29 points to take a 15 point lead into the fourth. The Hawks scored the first eight points of the final period to put it away pushing it out to a 23 point advantage, led by guard MacKenzie Smith who hit six shots from long range.
Asta Blauenfeldt led Maine in the loss with 17 points (3-6 three-pointers), and Rockwood contributed 11 points (3-4 three-pointers). Caroline Bornemann chipped in eight points and five rebounds, while Paula Gallego registered six points. Saint Joseph’s University, out of the Atlantic 10, put four players in double figures led by Smith who had 26 points (9-12, 6-9 on three-pointers), and Laura Ziegler who recorded a double double with 16 points and 16 rebounds. The Hawks shot 60.4% from the floor, including 16-23 in the second half (69.5%). The Black Bears have now lost three straight games dropping to 3-7. Maine returns to action on Saturday, December 21 when they host Bates College at 2 p.m. in the Pit at Skip Chappelle Court in Orono.
