STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island women's basketball team opened the new year and the second half of its season with a non-conference matchup against Assumption University on Friday afternoon at the Tank.
In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, the contest lived up to expectations as a tightly contested battle unfolded across four quarters. Assumption carried a narrow 30–27 lead into halftime, but the Dolphins surged in the third quarter to take a 48–43 advantage heading into the final period. However, the Greyhounds limited CSI to just one point early in the fourth quarter and used a 7–0 run to regain the lead at 50–48 before closing out a 60–55 victory.
Shonyae Edmonds opened the scoring for the Dolphins, setting the tone for a competitive first half. The game featured multiple lead changes, including a tie at seven on an Arielle Barnes layup before Assumption briefly pulled ahead. Racky Kane answered to keep CSI level, and a Kane steal led to a Kyra Rose basket that gave the Dolphins an 11–9 edge. By the end of the opening quarter, Assumption held an 18–15 lead.
Scoring was slow to start in the second quarter, with the Greyhounds extending their lead to five nearly two minutes in. Dana Phelan connected from beyond the arc to trim the deficit to two, but Assumption responded to stretch the margin to eight at 30–22. Barnes and Kane combined for five late points to bring CSI within three at halftime, 30–27.
The Dolphins delivered their strongest offensive performance in the third quarter, outscoring Assumption 21–13. Kane opened the half at the free-throw line before Barnes knocked down her second three-pointer of the game to make it a one-point contest. Edmonds later gave CSI its own two-point advantage with a three-point play midway through the quarter, and continued efforts from Kane and Rose helped the Dolphins build a 48–43 lead heading into the final frame.
Assumption quickly erased the deficit to open the fourth quarter, tying the game at 48 before reclaiming the lead moments later. The Greyhounds held CSI to just one point until the two-minute mark, when Rose converted a jumper in the paint to make it 57–51. Barnes and Kane scored the Dolphins' final points, but the late push fell short as CSI dropped a hard-fought 60–55 decision, moving to 5–8 on the season.
Kane led all scorers with 18 points while adding eight rebounds and three assists. Barnes finished with 12 points, shooting 2-for-3 from beyond the arc, and Edmonds contributed 10 points while tying a game record with five blocks.
The Dolphins return to action on Tuesday, January 6, when they host their final non-conference game of the season against Post University at 5:30 PM.
GAME REPLAY
