Standish, Maine – The Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team lost on the road to Saint Joseph's (Maine), 83-71, on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action at the Harold Alfond Center. With their second straight GNAC setback, the Falcons move to 6-6 overall and 0-2 in league play, while the Monks won their 11 consecutive contest against AMC to improve to 9-3 on the year and 1-0 in conference tilts.
It was a balanced offensive attack for the guests, as three Falcons scored in double figures led by 18 from sophomore forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.). Bolden continued her strong post play, pulling down six boards and hitting a team-high eight field goals. Senior tri-captain Kelsey Pendagast (Shelton, Conn.) and junior guard Liz Falcigno (Wallingford, Conn.) each poured in 17 for Albertus Magnus. In arguably her strongest game of the winter, Pendagast recorded her fourth double-double of the season courtesy of grabbing 10 rebounds while shooting 6-of-10 from the field. After missing a game, Falcigno returned to lineup and scored 14 or more points for the sixth game in a row. The 5-7 wing also registered two or more steals for the sixth straight game as well.
Freshman guard Kelsi McNamara paced the Monks with a game-high 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting. The 5-6 guard also hit two three-pointers, dished out three assists and grabbed four rebounds. Senior center Morgan Cahill and sophomore forward Brianne Maloney were the other Saint Joseph's players in double figures with 14 and 11, respectively.
The two squads traded baskets throughout the first stanza as Albertus Magnus held an 18-17 edge after 10 minutes of play. During the opening frame, the Falcons took advantage of seven Monk fouls and converted 7-of-8 shots from the charity stripe.
In the second quarter, Saint Joseph's shot over 56 percent from the field and outscored Albertus Magnus, 26-18, to hold a 43-46 lead at halftime. In the period, the Monks controlled the boards, holding an, 11-8, advantage and McNamara knocked down 5-of-7 shots to help the hosts build a lead they would not relinquish.
In the second half, SJC received strong play off the bench from Maloney, Norma Waggett and Hannah Marks to keep the lead and thwart any rally attempt by the visitors.
The swarming Monk defense held the guests to just over 38 percent shooting, while knocking down 43 percent of their shots on the offensive end. The back-and-forth tilt saw three ties and three lead changes during the first half, in the second half, SJC built its lead to as many as 17 early in the fourth quarter. The biggest difference in the game was the depth of the hosts, as the Saint Joseph's bench outscored the Falcons, 28-5.
Albertus Magnus returns to action on Tuesday, January 12, with a home conference clash against in-state rival St. Joseph (Conn.). The Falcons took last season's meeting with the Blue Jays, 67-52, in West Hartford.
For the latest information on the women's basketball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
