Box Score
New York, NY – Ganimete Ukperaj (Bellmore, NY/ John F Kennedy) recorded her first career double-double as she knocked in a game-high 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead a balanced attack as three players recorded double-doubles as John Jay women’s basketball defeated St. Joseph’s-Patchogue 57-44 at the Doghouse on Monday night.
Sha-kia Hart (Brooklyn, NY/ Graham School) added 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, while Michelle Wallace (Flushing, NY/ Robert F Kennedy) scored 11 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the win. Fellow teammate Vanessa Rivera (Bronx, NY/ Bronx Leadership) chipped in with 14 points and a game-high eight steals in the win for the Bloodhounds who were without their two top scorers Melissa Escalera (Bronx, NY/ Adali E Stevenson) and Lashannen Hogue (Yonkers, NY/ Roosevelt).
The visiting Golden Eagles got the first jump scoring the first seven points of the game, then took a 9-1 lead four minutes into the contest.
But the Bloodhounds came right back by going on a 22-5 run to take a 23-15 lead and John Jay never looked back. The Bloodhounds established a 30-25 lead at halftime and the Golden Eagles were held at bay the rest of the way.
The Bloodhounds shot 32 percent from the floor, and outrebounded St. Joseph’s 55-30, including 27-3 on the offensive end. 12 of Hart’s game-high 15 boards were offensive rebounds, and John Jay earned 12 second chance points to the Golden Eagles’ zero.
Despite not having their two top paint players, John Jay still ruled the lane by holding a 34-12 advantage in the paint.
The Bloodhounds put the game out of reach with an 18-5 spurt to start the second half which gave John Jay a commanding lead.
John Jay led by as much as 17 in the second half and were never threatened in the win which leaves them at 14-6 on the season.
The Bloodhounds will return to action on Wed. Jan. 24 against Baruch College, 5 p.m. at the Doghouse.
