New Haven, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team cruised to a 104-74 victory against Bay Path on Monday evening in non-conference action at The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center.
With the victory, the Falcons snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 2-3 on the year, while the Wildcats dropped their second straight to a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent to move 2-2 overall.
It was a balanced offensive attack for the Falcons, as a season-high four players scored in double figures. Sophomore forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) led the charge for the hosts, scoring a season-best 20 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists. The reigning GNAC Rookie of the Year shot 8-of-13 from the field and knocked down all four of her attempts from the charity stripe. Freshman guard Jill Johnson (North Haven, Conn.) had her best game as a Falcon, scoring 11 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists off the bench. The other Albertus players to register double figures were senior forward Kelsey Pendagast (Shelton, Conn.) and freshman guard Deja Ward (Middletown, Conn.). Pendagast hit 5-of-9 shots for 10 points to go along with seven rebounds and Ward added 13 points.
Albertus Magnus freshman forward Zaria Cobbs (Elmsford, N.Y.) was all over the court. In 21 minutes of action, she scored eight points, pulled down a team-best nine rebounds, dished out two assists, recorded a team-high three steals and blocked one shot.
It was a two-player show for the guests, as junior forward Dallas Jackson and freshman guard Kaylee Herring accounted for 51 of the Wildcat points. Jackson poured in a game-high 36 points, highlighted by a 4-of-5 shooting performance from beyond the arc. She hit a game-high 15 field goals to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, four steals and one block. Herring had a quality game for the visitors, scoring 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The point guard also knocked down four treys and dished out a game-high six assists.
Albertus Magnus started the game well, jumping out to an early 17-7 lead following a three-pointer from sophomore guard Angelina Piccirillo (Naugatuck, Conn.). Later in the first, a trey from Herring brought the visitors to within six at 21-15 before the Falcons ended the frame up eight following a layup from Cobbs on the ensuing possession.
In the second quarter, AMC pulled away with their starters on the court. The speed and size of the Falcons took over in the frame, as the hosts outscored Bay Path, 32-12. The Wildcats shot just 4-of-20 in the stanza and had six turnovers, while the Falcons hit 12-of-23 shots and committed just three turnovers.
In the second half, the Falcons put the game out of reach with a 19-3 run to start the third quarter. Albertus Magnus never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 48 early in the fourth.
The Falcons controlled the boards, outrebounding Bay Path, 58-44. The hosts also caused 23 Wildcat turnovers and scored 24 fast break points.
Albertus Magnus returns to action Tuesday, November 24, with a road non-conference clash against SUNY Cobleskill at 7:00 pm. The contest will be the last before the Thanksgiving break for the team and the first-ever clash between the Falcons and the Fighting Tigers.
For the latest information on the women's basketball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.