Women’s Basketball Handles USJ, 89-32, in GNAC Opener

BOSTON – Suffolk women's basketball pulled the curtain back on its GNAC calendar in convincing fashion as four different players produced double figures in an 89-32 offensive onslaught of Saint Joseph (Conn.) Saturday afternoon at Emerson's Bobbi Brown & Steven Plofker Gym.   

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 89 | Saint Joseph (Conn.) 32
RECORDS: Suffolk (9-4, 1-0 GNAC) | Saint Joseph (Conn.) (8-5, 0-1 GNAC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
USJ put away the first four points of the game, but it was all Suffolk from there. The blue-and-gold scored 19 straight, eight from Alexis Hackett, to make it a lopsided 19-4 Rams score with 1:35 left in the opening quarter.  The Blue Jays broke up the run and the team's traded hoops the rest of the way, but Suffolk remain in front, 23-10, after the first 10 minutes. 

The visitors were the first to score in the second stanza, but another Rams rally ensued. This time, Suffolk used fast-break layups to stretch their cushion to 26, 38-12. Emily Welling was the main ingredient to the 16-0 stretch with the sophomore supplying 11 points. 

Suffolk limited USJ to just five additional points in the final four minutes of the half to take a 51-17 advantage into the locker room.  

Momentum did not subside out of half time as Suffolk kept Saint Joseph without a field goal for nearly six minutes. In that time, Jordan Hipwell converted a four-point play and a traditional three-point play, as the Rams pushed the margin to 70-18.  

From there, each team scored five more to wrap up the third frame and the score stood, 75-23, in Suffolk's favor.  

The Rams kept their foot on the gas pedal in the fourth and final frame to walk away with the 89-32 conference victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Gabriella DeComo, Hackett and Welling all had 15 points with Hipwell adding 13. 
• Welling's offense came off a 7-for-9 showing from the field, while Hackett went 6-for-8 from the floor including 3-for-5 from downtown. 
• Hackett added seven rebounds and one assist to her stat line. 
• DeComo's performance was all around. To go with her 60 percent connection rate from the floor (6-10), the junior had five steals, four dimes and three boards. 
• Hipwell's 13-point performance came off a 4-for-5 effort from the field and 4-for-4 showing on freebies. She added three caroms and two helpers. 
• Jenni-Rose DiCecco contributed an all-around effort as well with eight points, three assists, three steals, one block and one steal. 
• Suffolk shot 50.8 percent (30-59) in the victory, 30.0 percent (6-20) behind-the-arc and 76.7 percent (23-30 on freebies. 
• The Blue Jays outrebounded the Rams, 44-37.   

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk opened its 25th GNAC campaign, all of which have been played in the Ed Leyden era. 
• The Rams lifted the lid on its conference calendar at a neutral site for the first time in program history. 
• The blue-and-gold won their third consecutive conference opener, to improve to 18-7 in its first game of the GNAC campaign. 
• The Rams have met USJ in their first conference contest of the season for the second straight season fourth time overall. 
• Suffolk is unbeaten in its league debut when facing the Blue Jays (4-0).  
• Suffolk defeated the Blue Jays for the 15th straight meeting to improve to 22-2 all-time against USJ. 
• Welling registered a career-high in points (15) and field goals made (7). 
• DeComo had a personal-best five takeaways and matched a career-high four helpers. 
• Lauren Hill handed out a career-high two assists. 
• Kaleigh Matulonis scored herfirst collegiate point behind with one made free throw with her first-ever rebound to her credit as well. 
• Alli Cavallo's three freebies made mark a career-best for the freshman as does her one helper. 

POST-GAME PIC
  

WHAT'S AHEAD?
Suffolk remains in league action Thursday, Jan. 16 when it entertains Albertus Magnus at Emmanuel's Andy Yosinoff Court at 7:00 p.m.