STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island women's basketball team hosted its final non-conference game of the 2025-26 season Tuesday evening at the Tank against Caldwell University. The Dolphins controlled much of the contest, but after the score was tied at 49 at the end of the third quarter, the Cougars outscored CSI 18-15 in the final frame to hand the Dolphins a 67-64 defeat.
CSI opened the game with an 8-0 run fueled by senior leaders Kyra Rose and Dana Phelan. Caldwell got on the board after the run, but Rose and Phelan continued to deliver timely baskets to push the Dolphins' lead to nine, 19-10, with under three minutes remaining in the opening quarter. The Cougars closed the period by going 1-2 from the freethrow line, trimming the deficit to eight, 19-11.
The Dolphins worked to maintain separation throughout the second quarter, answering each Caldwell response. Phelan stayed hot from beyond the arc, knocking down her third three-pointer of the contest to restore a nine-point cushion, 27-18. Caldwell answered with a 7-0 run to pull within two, but Rose went 2-4 from the charity stripe and Shonyae Edmonds added back-to-back baskets to give CSI an eight-point lead heading into halftime, 33-26.
Caldwell seized momentum in the third quarter, outscoring the Dolphins 23-16 to knot the game at 49 entering the final stanza. Rose opened the fourth by going 2-2 at the line, followed by a bucket from Arielle Barnes to give CSI a 53-49 edge. After a Caldwell response, Phelan connected on another three to keep the Dolphins in front, setting up a back-and-forth battle down the stretch. The Cougars eventually pulled ahead after another tie at 61.
Following a CSI turnover, Caldwell took the lead with under a minute remaining. Dorothy Weise answered with a basket to cut the deficit to one, and after the Dolphins forced a shot-clock violation, CSI had one final possession. Rose's last-second attempt from long range appeared to tie the game, but her foot was just on the line, resulting in a two-point basket as the Dolphins fell 67-64.
Rose led the Dolphins with 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Phelan added 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers, while Edmonds led the team on the glass with 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Barnes also finished with four assists.
The Dolphins (7-12) will return to East Coast Conference action this weekend, traveling to Rochester, NY, to face Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
GAME REPLAY
