By: Michael L. Damon
Stats
New York, N.Y. --- Playing in front of a standing room only crowd, with more that 600 in attendance for Homecoming, the John Jay women's basketball team lost its 2008-09 home and conference opener as the Bloodhounds were defeated by Hunter College, 58-47, at the Doghouse on Tuesday evening.
With the loss the Bloodhounds are 1-3 (0-1 CUNYAC), while Hunter is 2-2 (1-0 CUNYAC).
The visiting Hawks led from start to finish in the contest and led by as much as a in the opening half. Hunter took a 12 point lead at the 5:48 point of the first half on a lay-up by
Megan McKenna who knocked in a game-high 17 points to go along with six rebounds.
After going into halftime with an 11 point lead (27-16), Hunter opened the second half with a 7-3 run to take a 34-19 advantage with 17:04 to play on a three point field goal by McKenna.
Hunter gradually pulled away midway through the second half and grabbed its biggest lead of the contest, 45-25, at the 11:52 mark on another McKenna jumper.
But the Bloodhounds did not go away. They went on a 9-0 run to pull to within 11 (45-34) capped on a pair of free throws by Vanessa Rivera with 9:51 to play.
Hunter established an arms length distance lead for the next several minutes and led by as much as 15 after that. But John Jay came with another run in the final few minutes.
They fell behind 53-38 with 5:15 to play, but went on a 7-0 run to trail by only eight (53-45).
Maxine Jenkins (Astoria, NY, Bishop Loughlin), who had seven points and three steals, connected on a pair from the foul line to edge the Bloodhounds closer.
But Hunter reestablished a double-digit lead en route to the win.
The Bloodhounds were paced by sophomore guard
Dominique Grice (North Babylon, NY, North Babylon) with 14 points (5-for-9 shooting) and a game-high six steals, while fellow teammate
Parker Griffin (New York, NY, Bishop Kearney) recorded a double-double of 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Zadoora Carson (New York, NY, Urban Peace Academy) came off the bench and had six points and eight rebounds.
John Jay committed 36 turnovers which led to 29 Hunter points as Hunter outscored John Jay 29-12 in points off turnovers.
John Jay returns to action on Thu. Dec. 4 at Lehman College at 5 p.m.
