Box Score

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – The Mount Saint Mary College women's basketball team (1-12, 1-2 Skyline) got itself in the win column with a 70-54 victory over Skyline Conference opponent St. Joseph's College (L.I.) (1-11, 1-2 Skyline) Saturday afternoon at the Kaplan Center. This was also head coach Michael Coppolino's first career head-coaching victory.

The Knights controlled the first 11 minutes of the game, as they led St. Joe's by nine with 12:10 left in the first half. The Golden Eagles chipped away and tied the game at 17 with 9:11 remaining. St. Joe's took their first lead of the half off of a fast-break layup by Jackie Zizzo. Junior forward Natalie Candarelli (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) responded with a jumper to tie the game at 19. Zizzo returned the favor with a jumper of her own to put the Eagles up, but senior forward Rachel Perrone (Poughquag, N.Y.) was sent to the free-throw line on the next play, sinking both to tie once again. After committing the foul, Danielle Hamlin sank a three-pointer, making it 24-21 in favor of the visitors with 5:36 remaining.

With the game tied at 28, sophomore guard Nicole Scicutella (Massapequa, N.Y.) stole the ball and found Rachel Perrone in the paint to put the Knights up, 30-28. Candarelli hit a three-pointer, making it a 33-28 game with 1:21 remaining. The Eagles responded with a layup for the final score of the half, leaving the Knights up, 33-30, heading into the break.

Rachel Perrone started the second half by placing the ball against the glass to put the Knights up by five. A steal and fast break by Christina Cohen cut the Knight lead to three. Junior guard Lauren Romao (Brick, N.J.) stole the ball and found senior forward Jessica Perrone (Poughquag, N.Y.) in the paint to make it 37-32. The Golden Eagles tied the game at 37 with 17:11 remaining, and then took their first lead of the second frame with a layup from Katie McGarrell. The teams traded baskets until the 7:34 mark, when the Knights broke through with a 12-0 run, sending them up 66-51 with 3:38 remaining, effectively icing the game.

Candarelli and Jessica Perrone each picked up double-doubles in Saturday's victory. Candarelli contributed 16 points and 11 boards, while Perrone had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Rachel Perrone led the Knights with 21 points and added eight rebounds of her own. Romao filled out her stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The Eagles were led by Laura Cohen, who had 20 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Hamlin recorded 12 points and six boards, while Christina Cohen had 10 points and six rebounds.

The Knights shot 41.5 percent (27-of-65) from the field on Saturday including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc (50 percent). The Knights dominated the paint, outscoring their opponents, 34-18, and led 15-7 in second-chance points thanks to 11 offensive rebounds.

The Knights return to action on Monday, Jan. 20, when they host NYU-Poly for a 7:00 p.m. Skyline Conference matchup.

Follow the Knights on Twitter @MSMCKnights