Purchase, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Jill Johnson (North Haven, Conn.) scored 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting to lead the Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team to a 78-51 road victory against Purchase College on Tuesday evening in non-conference action.
The Falcons (3-2) shot over 36 percent from the field and led for a majority of the contest to snap a two-game losing streak, while the Panthers (1-3) dropped their third straight game.
Johnson's 21-point outburst was a career-high as she knocked down seven shots from the field and converted on 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. She also chipped in three rebounds, three assists and a career-best five steals. Senior guard Liz Falcigno (Wallingford, Conn.) and junior forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) continued their strong play for Albertus Magnus, as they both recorded double-doubles for the second consecutive contest. Falcigno had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting and pulled down 11 rebounds, while Bolden poured in 13 points and grabbed a game-high 16 boards.
It was a two-headed attack Purchase with sopohmore wing Amber Jones and senior guard April Uhl combining for 31 points. Jones and Uhl were the lone Panthers in double digits on the night. Jones poured in 18 points thanks to hitting 6-of-8 from the charity striple, while Uhl knocked down 5-of-12 shots from the field for 13 points.
An early trey from Uhl gave the Panthers a 3-2 edge two minutes into play. Several minutes later, a free throw from Johnson tied the game at three midway through the first quarter and a lay up from Deja Ward (Middletown, Conn.) gave AMC the lead for good at 5-3. The Falcons would not relinquish the edge for the remainder of the tilt thanks to closing the first quarter on a 10-3 run.
The guests scored the first six points of the second quarter to build a double-digit lead following a steal and fast-break lay in by Johnson with eight and a half minutes left in the first half. The two squads would trade baskets throughout the remainder of the first half and Falcon junior guard Angelina Piccirillo (Naugatuck, Conn.) beat the buzzer with a lay up to give the visitors a 35-19 advantage heading into the break.
Albertus Magnus pulled away in the second half and stretched its lead to as many as 33 midway through the third quarter courtesy of a steal and lay in by Johnson.
Albertus Magnus controlled the glass, outrebounding the hosts, 63-32. The guests forced 13 Purchase turnovers and turned the miscues into 17 points. The Falcon depth was also a factor in the triumph, as the AMC reserves outscored the Panther subs, 16-2. Albertus Magnus also had 12 assists on 30 made field goals.
Following the Thanksgiving break, Albertus Magnus returns to action on Tuesday, November 29, with a home non-conference contest against in-state rival Western Connecticut that is slated to being at 8:00 pm. The showdown between the Colonials and the Falcons will mark the first meeting between the two schools since 2005.
For the latest information on the women's basketball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
