The College of Staten Island women's basketball squad overcame a lackluster first half to send their non-conference game against FDU-Florham into a pair of overtimes before falling to the Devils, 90-89, in the Consolation Game of the Amherst College Tip-Off Tournament played in Amherst, Massachusetts. The loss dipped the Dolphins to a 1-2 overall record to start the 2009-10 season while FDU improved to 2-3 overall.

It was a first half to forget for the Dolphins, who shot just 25.6% and were outrebounded in the frame, 38-13. Still, the Dolphins were able to hang around, cutting what was once an 11-point Devils lead to just seven at halftime, 31-24. FDU, even while shooting just under 50% in the frame, were marred by turnovers, giving the ball away on 22 occasions in the first half. Kristen Panariello, who led the Dolphins in scoring the night before was also shut out in the frame, with no points on a 0-for-7 shooting slump. Meanwhile, FDU's Danielle Michlovsky was on fire, torching the Dolphins for 14 points and 11 rebounds in the first frame alone.

Whatever happened at halftime in the locker rooms, however, benefited the Dolphins. Down seven coming out of the break, CSI used a 15-6 run to open the half over the first 4:12 to capture a 39-37 lead. The run was capitalized on a three-ball by Allie Shanahan and a steal, three layups, and the completion of a three-point play by Panariello, as the senior broke out of her first half slump. From there, the scored was tied or changed hands eight times over the next eight minutes as the two squads clashed like heavyweight fighters in the ring. CSI shot a lot crisper, while FDU protected the ball better, and the sharpness of both teams began to show.

Although the teams were sharp, the last several minutes were marred by a series of questionable calls by the officials, bringing both coaches up from their benches on a number of occasions. CSI saw a number of their players take spills in the low post going up for rebounds and having dubious fouls called on them in the process, and FDU saw Michlovsky get hacked very hard in the low post putting up a layup, only for the officials to call a jump ball instead. The calls were enough to frustrate both coaches. CSI coach Marguerite Moran drew a technical foul arguing one call that saw freshman Olivia Tierno get pasted from behind only to be called for an offensive foul. Still, play continued, and both teams played valiantly against the face of a series of unfortunate calls.

CSI went ahead by as many as eight markers, the last time at 62-54, with 3:33 remaining. From there though, the Devils responded, but not without a couple of key miscues by the Dolphins. CSI had itself a 66-62 lead with 24.6 seconds remaining and FDU with possession. Needing to score, Shea Taggert took an inbounds pass and was fouled by Shanahan at center court unnecessarily. Although unintentional by Shanahan, Taggert was able to bury her two free thrown with only four seconds coming off of the clock. CSI then inbounded, and Danielle McLaughlin, looking to draw contact was called for a travel violation, giving the ball right back to FDU. FDU inbounded, and Matil Mangual buried a running jumper in the paint to tie the score at 66-66 with 15 seconds left. CSI had one more chance down the floor, but Shanahan missed an open-look three and even though McLaughlin scooped up the rebound, her layup attempt kissed too hard off of the glass and instead of a CSI win, the game was headed into overtime.

So, the thriller continued, and CSI got off to a quick start, taking a quick lead on a pair of Katelyn Hepworth freebies and then when the Dolphins fell behind, a calm layup by Panariello in traffic, part of her 28 second half and overtime points, gave CSI back a 76-75 lead with 1:02 to play. Drama then ensued. Taggert banked home a jumper at the 30 second mark to give FDU back the lead, 77-76. CSI's Hepworth then rushed an awkward looking three-point basket and FDU's Courtney Young was there to get the rebound and was quickly fouled with 10 ticks to play. Young, shooting two freebies, hit both to give FDU the 79-76 lead. Down to a final possession, it almost looked as if CSI wouldn't even get off a shot, as the Dolphins' Panariello was being smothered by FDU. The senior however, was able to somehow dish a pass to Shanahan, who with a hand in her face and reeling backwards sank a three-pointer that touched nothing but net, sending the game into a second overtime.

Alas, more drama was to come. This time CSI was in control of the second overtime from the start, and the team took a four point lead after two Hepworth lay-ins and four Panariello free-throws with 2:51 left. After a three-pointer by Taggert CSI was back up by three with another Panariello lay-in with just 49 ticks to play. 

Rather than shoot the three, FDU opted instead to go inside, and Michlovsky delivered with an off-balance running layup to cut the lead to one, 88-87, with 31 seconds left. The Devils were then on the defensive, and the team opted to foul CSI sophomore Denise Zajonc with 10 seconds left. Zajonc banked the first shot off of the front rim, but hit the second free-throw to give CSI the 89-87 advantage with 10 seconds left. Then, the improbable happened. Down to one shot, FDU had a host of trouble inbounding the ball from the offensive sideline, and the Dolphins wanted a five-second inbounding violation which they did not get. Instead, FDU's Courtney Young got the ball in play, then got the ball right back, and let loose a long three-pointer. The sophomore was 1-for-9 from the field before the improbable shot, but in a game fitting the conclusion, the shot hit nothing but twine with three seconds left on the clock. 

CSI then inbounded and McLaughlin was able to let loose a three-pointer that rattled the rim but did not get in, giving FDU the 90-89 final.

After the dismal first half, CSI went on to shoot 41.7% for the game while FDU shot 41.3%. The Devils completely owned the glass, enjoying a healthy 71-33 advantage on the boards. But CSI was forcing plenty of turnovers, 43 in all, to keep the game in distance. Panariello finished with a team-high 28 points, while Shanahan dripped in 21, and Zajonc 15. For FDU, Taggert led all scorers with 29 points, adding 8 boards. Despite a tough second half, Michlovsky finished with 25 points and 19 rebounds, while FDU's Matil Mangual had 15 points and 12 rebounds.

CSI will next go on the road to face Ramapo College on Tuesday evening.