New Haven, Conn. – Senior guard Liz Falcigno (Wallingford, Conn.) scored a season-high 29 points and pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds to lead the Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team past visiting Farmingdale State, 75-59, on Monday evening in non-conference action at The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center.
The Falcons (6-4) scored their third straight home victory and avenged an early season setback to the Rams (4-3). FSC saw their four-game winning streak come to an end in their final game of 2016.
Falcigno and junior forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) combined for 50 points, 30 rebounds and six steals. Falcigno shot 10-of-18 from the field, highlighted by hitting four shots from three-point range and five from the charity stripe. She also added four assists and three steals to go along with her 18 rebounds. Bolden continued her dominant post play with a 21-point, 12-rebound performance. She hit 9-of-16 shots en route to her fifth double-double of the campaign. Junior guard Kiki Epps (Norwalk, Conn.) and sophomore guard Deja Ward (Middletown, Conn.) each scored in double figures as well for the hosts, pouring in 11 points apiece.
It was a balanced offensive attack for Farmingdale Stat as three different starters scored in double figures led by guard Tyra Harrison with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Essence Casey and AJ Smith both netted 11 points apiece for the Rams. Casey had a full stat sheet, grabbing six rebounds to go along with six assists and a game-high eight assists, while Smith hit two of FSC's six shots from three-point range.
Albertus Magnus opened the game on a 9-0 run over the first four minutes of play. During the spurt, the Falcons forced four turnovers and Farmingdale State missed its first five shots from the field. Following a trey from Falcigno, the Rams got on the board courtesy of a layup from Casey. Over the next three minutes, the guests came charging back to knot the game at 13 following a Harrison jumper. Farmingdale State kept AMC off the board over the final three minutes of the frame to take a 14-13 edge into the second stanza.
In the second quarter, Albertus Magnus forced seven turnovers and closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 31-23 advantage into halftime. During the run to end the half, Albertus Magnus kept the guests scoreless for over three minutes and Bolden knocked down a pair of jumpers for the hosts. In the second quarter, the Falcons connected on two shots from beyond the arc, both by Falcigno, while the Rams shot 0-of-4 from deep.
Albertus Magnus held a commanding, 55-31, rebounding advantage and turned 31 turnovers into 26 points. The two teams combined for 65 turnovers, 41 fouls and both teams struggled shooting three's, converting on just 12-of-47 attempts combined.
The contest marked the final game of the calendar year for the Falcons. Albertus Magnus returns to action on Thursday, January 5, with a road non-conference showdown against regional rival Drew that is slated to begin at 7:00 pm. The Falcons are looking for their first-ever win against the Rangers, as Drew has won all three meetings in the series history.
For the latest information on the women's basketball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
