Staten Island, NY | The College of Staten Island Women's Basketball team got off to a great start, but strong runs by Molloy College in the middle quarters put too much distance between the sides as the Lions outlasted the Dolphins, 67-55, in what was the programs first meeting since 1985.  The win lifted Molloy to 8-3 overall while the Dolphins saw their mini two-game win streak snapped, falling to 2-7.

After scoring 201 points over their previous two games, the Dolphins seemed destined for another quality offensive performance with a strong first quarter that saw the home side consistently broke the press and sank 50% from the floor to take a 19-13 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.  Kayla Schmitter opened the game with a three and CSI broke another tie with a Megan McEwan jumper to make it 9-7.  After Gabriella Aspuru tied the game at 11-11 for Molloy, CSI raced to a mini 6-0 run, helped by two Brianna Robisky buckets to take a 17-11 lead, then held up to 19-13 at the break.

The positive feelings dissipated for the Dolphins when Molloy raced out to the second quarter's first nine points, powered by seven-straight Aspuru points, helping the visitors to a 22-19 lead.  CSI started the second stanza missing their first six shots and it wasn't until 5:15 to go that McEwan buried a three to tie the score at 22-22.  The teams parried from there and three-straight free-throws to end the half gave Molloy a modest, 32-29 lead at the break.

Like the second quarter, Molloy started the second-half on a tear, going on a 12-3 run over the first four minutes to take a more comfortable 44-32 lead.  Kadijah Dickson scored four on the line, dominating the boards as well as she finished with 18 rebounds.  The Dolphins would thwart the lead back as few as 11, but a three-point play by Kathryn Gibson , followed by a three from the junior got Molloy up by as many as 19 at one point, as they outscored CSI, 24-10, in the third frame, to ultimately take a 56-39 lead at the end of three frames.

The Lions lead would balloon to as many as 23 in the fourth quarter, as Dickson canned another layup to take over the team lead.  From there, CSI did steady and finish strong, outscoring Molloy 13-2 over the last six minutes to cut the final score to 12 points.  McEwan scored a couple of baskets in the stretch including a three.

Molloy finished shooting 37.1% (23-62), connecting on just 6-28 from beyond the arc (21.4%).  The Lions also led the final rebound count, 47-41.  Dickson led all scorers with 19 points and 18 rebounds, adding four assists.Aspuru finished with 16 markers, adding seven rebounds with three steals.  Giolibeth Perez led the Lions with six assists, with seven points.  CSI, which shot a chilly 29.9% (20-67), were led by McEwan's 18 points, and a team-best four assists and four steals.  Diana Todaro totaled nine points with 14 rebounds.  CSI committed 10 turnovers, next to Molloy's 14.

CSI will get a couple of days rest and will be back to action on Saturday for Friends & Family Day against Mount Saint Mary College, with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 PM.

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