Box Score
ALBANY-The College of Saint Rose won its third straight by holding off
Northeast-10 Conference rival American International on the way to a 76-72 victory this afternoon at the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. The Golden Knights (6-4/3-3 NE-10) shot 58.3 percent (28-for-48) from the floor by outscoring the Yellow Jackets 46-14 in the paint.
Junior center
Mariah Lesure scored 24 of her career-high 36 points in the second half and also came up with six blocks to pace Saint Rose. Her 36 points are the most since Ashley Rath also tossed in 36 at Assumption on December 6, 2011.
Freshman forward
Staci Barrett was in twin figures as well with 12 points to go along with nine rebounds throughout 25 minutes of reserve duty. Senior guard
Desiree Simmons had eight points and a career-high seven assists while fellow senior guard Brittany O'Shea contributed six points and five assists. Sophomore guard
Nicole Bini also had eight points.
The Golden Knights led most of the way and transformed a two point, 50-48, cushion with 11:58 remaining into an 11 point, 64-53, advantage via a 14-5 run that Lesure capped with a pair of free throws at the 7:22 mark. Two minutes later, Simmons finished inside to keep it a double-digit, 69-59, affair.
However, Saint Rose came up empty on its next six trips up the floor that allowed American International to get to within three, 71-58, with 1:49 left. A Lesure layup afforded the Golden Knights some breathing room, but the Yellow Jackets scored five unanswered points in the final minute to get back to within three, 75-72. After Barrett went 1-for-2 from the stripe, American International got a pair of looks that went for naught and allowed Saint Rose to improve to 3-1 at home.
Sophomore guard Alyssa Roach and senior guard Sarah Noble scored 16 and 14 points respectively to lead the Yellow Jackets. Roach also handed out seven assists, while junior forward Krista Ferrentino added 10 points.
Looking ahead, the Golden Knights will host the Saint Rose Holiday Classic next Saturday and Sunday, December 21 and 22. They will meet Dominican on Saturday at 12:00 pm, and will then face Chestnut Hill on Sunday at 2:00 pm. The event is being presented by the
Recovery Sports Grill. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets will also be at the tournament to meet Chestnut Hill on Saturday at 2:00 pm, and Dominican on Sunday. at 12:00 pm.
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