STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island women's basketball team hosted the University of the District of Columbia Saturday afternoon in The Tank. After being limited to just seven points in the third quarter, the Dolphins found a second wind in the fourth, erupting for 30 points. Despite the late surge, CSI fell to the Firebirds, 71-61, dropping to 8-17 overall and 4-9 in East Coast Conference (ECC) play.
UDC opened the scoring with a mid-range jumper before Shonyae Edmonds put the Dolphins on the board from the free-throw line. The Firebirds built an early 6-1 advantage, but Kyra Rose trimmed the deficit to three. CSI took its only lead of the game at 7-6 on an Edmonds bucket in the paint. UDC quickly reclaimed control, however, and held the advantage for the remainder of the contest.
The Firebirds again struck first to open the second quarter, extending their lead to 20-14. Arielle Barnes and Racky Kane kept the Dolphins within striking distance, cutting the deficit to four, 25-21, with six minutes remaining in the half. Giulana Dito drained a three-pointer from the right wing to bring CSI within one, 25-24, their closest margin since early in the first quarter. Both teams then went scoreless for the final two and a half minutes, and UDC carried a 29-24 lead into halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive. The Firebirds opened the frame on a 6-0 run to build their first double-digit lead, 34-24. Dorothy Wiese briefly halted the momentum with a pair of free throws, but UDC continued to pull away. The Dolphins were held to just seven points in the quarter while the Firebirds poured in 22, stretching their lead to as many as 20 heading into the final period.
Facing a 20-point deficit, CSI responded with an impressive fourth-quarter effort. The Dolphins scored 30 points in the stanza and cut the deficit to seven, 63-56, with just 1:30 remaining. Despite the late push, the Firebirds held off the rally to secure the 71-61 victory.
Edmonds led the Dolphins with a double-double, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds while adding two blocks. Rose contributed 15 points, while Barnes totaled nine points and seven rebounds. Kane added nine rebounds and four assists in the effort.
CSI women's basketball returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 22, when they host Roberts Wesleyan University for D2 Day at 1:00 PM in The Tank.
GAME REPLAY
