WORCESTER, MA – The College of Staten Island women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign on the road at Assumption University Monday evening. The score remained tied at 24 heading into halftime, but the Greyhounds pulled ahead in the second half to hand the Dolphins a 60-54 defeat in their season opener.
Tianna Patten made her debut with the Dolphins and wasted no time making an impact, opening the scoring with a four-point play after converting a three-pointer and the free throw. The score remained tied at four for nearly three minutes before Racky Kane gave the Dolphins their first lead of the night, 6-4, with a bucket in the paint. After the Greyhounds built a four-point advantage late in the first quarter, 14-10, Patten and Abbey Lindsey each added points to even the score at 14 heading into the second.
The second quarter ended much like the first, with both teams scoring 10 points to keep the contest even at 24. The Greyhounds opened the scoring after the eight-minute mark to take a 16-14 lead, but Kane took over offensively, scoring six consecutive points to put the Dolphins ahead by five, 24-19, with just over three minutes remaining in the half. However, a field goal and a pair of free throws from the hosts allowed Assumption to pull even at 24 heading into the break.
The third and fourth quarters saw the Greyhounds begin to separate themselves, outscoring the Dolphins in both frames. Kane and Assumption traded pairs of free throws early in the third to keep the score even, but the hosts soon put together a scoring run to establish their largest lead of the night at seven, 37-30, midway through the quarter. Lindsey and Patten continued to lead the Dolphins' offensive push, cutting the deficit to three before an Assumption three-pointer pushed the lead back to six, 40-34.
Following a last-second layup from Arielle Barnes to close out the third quarter, the Dolphins entered the final 10 minutes trailing by just two, 43-41. However, Assumption held CSI to 13 points in the fourth quarter while adding 17 of its own to secure the 60-54 decision. With just 15 seconds remaining, Patten brought the Dolphins within four, 58-54, but CSI was unable to complete the comeback as the Greyhounds handed the Dolphins a season-opening defeat.
Lindsey led the Dolphins with 16 points, adding two steals and one block, while Patten also finished with 16 points off the bench to go along with six rebounds and three steals. Kane rounded out the top performers with 11 points and three assists.
The College of Staten Island women's basketball team will return home to host the 2026-27 Conference Challenge Tournament on November 13-14. The Dolphins will open their home schedule against No. 10 Holy Family University on Friday at 6:00 PM.
GAME REPLAY
