STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island women's basketball team welcomed No. 10 Holy Family University to The Tank Friday evening for the Conference Challenge Tournament. In the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs, the Tigers maintained their advantage in the series, handing the Dolphins a 74-57 defeat in their home opener.
Holy Family opened the contest with an 8-0 run before Abbey Lindsey put the Dolphins on the scoreboard with a basket in the paint. Shonyae Edmonds and Racky Kane continued to generate offense for CSI, but midway through the first quarter, the hosts trailed 14-6. The Dolphins entered the second quarter facing a 10-point deficit, which continued to grow as the Tigers built a 19-point advantage by halftime.
Holy Family's offensive production in the second quarter proved to be a major difference, as the Tigers recorded 14 points in the paint and added six points off CSI turnovers. Despite the deficit, Lindsey, Kane, and Veralyn Aviles each contributed to the Dolphins' scoring efforts as CSI entered the halftime break trailing 37-18.
The Dolphins found their best offensive rhythm in the third quarter, recording 17 points, their highest-scoring frame of the night up to that point. However, the Tigers answered with 24 points of their own, extending their lead to 61-35 with just one quarter remaining.
CSI continued to battle in the fourth, putting together its strongest offensive quarter of the evening with 22 points while holding Holy Family to a game-low 13. Lindsey got things started by going 2-for-2 from the free-throw line before Edmonds followed with five consecutive points. Gemma Singer then connected from beyond the arc as the Dolphins looked to cut into the Tigers' lead, bringing the score to 67-47.
Later in the quarter, Laila Carr connected on the first three-pointer of her collegiate career, adding to the Dolphins' late offensive push. Despite the strong finish, CSI ultimately fell to Holy Family by a final score of 74-57.
Kane led the Dolphins with 13 points and six rebounds, while Edmonds and Lindsey each finished with 11 points. Edmonds also paced CSI on the glass with nine rebounds and led the team with three steals. Giuliana Dito, who made her season debut against the Tigers, and Carr each contributed five points.
The College of Staten Island women's basketball team (0-2) will return to action for day two of their Conference Challenge Tournament when they matchup with Post University at 2:00 PM.
GAME REPLAY
