NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Albertus Magnus College women’s basketball team won its fifth straight contest on Saturday afternoon, topping the visiting College of New Rochelle, 86-55, in non-conference action at The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center. The Blue Angels saw their two-game winning streak come to an end to move to 4-7 overall, while Albertus climbs to 6-3.
Four Falcons scored in double figures in the victory led by junior transfer Liz Falcigno with a team-high 23 points and seven steals and sophomore forward Olivia Bolden added 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals. The other two Falcons in double figures were seniorKelsey Pendagast and freshman guard Deja Ward. Pendagast recorded her second straight double-double thanks to 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while Ward poured in 14 off the bench.
It was the Jasmine Brandon (Jersey City, NJ) show for New Rochelle, as the senior forward scored a game-high 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting. Brandon also pulled down eight rebounds and registered two steals in a strong effort. Senior guard JaNasha King (Jersey City, NJ) added nine points courtesy of hitting three, three-pointers for the Blue Angels.
Albertus Magnus opened the game on a 7-0 run capped by a layup from Bolden two minutes into play. CNR would respond with a 6-0 spurt of their own ending with a layup from sophomore guard Chelsea Thomas (Bronx, NY) to pull within one with 6:48 left in the first quarter. The two squads traded buckets and following a pair of free throws from Ward, the Falcons took an 18-13 edge into the second stanza.
In the second frame, Albertus stretched its lead to 17 thanks to shooting over 53 percent from the field and forcing six New Rochelle turnovers. In the quarter, the Falcons outscored the Blue Angels, 28-16, while shooting 60 percent from three-point range to take a 46-29 lead into halftime.
During the second half, Albertus Magnus pulled away to score its third home win of the winter.
On the boards, Albertus Magnus held a commanding, 57-34, advantage and the Falcons had 18 second-chance points compared to just nine for the Blue Angels. CNR will host Yeshiva University on Tuesday at 8:00pm.
