Boston, Mass. - The Suffolk University Women's Basketball (7-7 overall, 2-2 GNAC) rebounded past the St. Joseph (Conn.) College Blue Jays, 72-56 on Monday afternoon at the Regan Gymnasium. Sophomore Meghan Black (Roslindale, Mass.) had a career-high 22 points, along with nine rebounds to pace the Rams to victory. Senior Laura Thompson (Kennebunk, Me.) posted her second double-double of the season scoring 15 points and adding 11 rebounds off the bench for Suffolk.
The Rams out rebounded the Blue Jays, 62-34 in the game which proved to be the difference as the Rams outscored St. Joseph 21-4 on second chance points, largely in part due to Thompson who posted 10 offensive boards on the day.
Junior Nathalie Masterreno (Glastonbury, Conn.) had a strong game for the visitors scoring 18 points and forcing nine steals. Masterreno also had seven rebounds on the day as she used her speed to elude the Rams defense for most of the afternoon.
The Rams held the advantage for most of the game taking a 19-point lead into the half. Freshman Emily Forzano (Beacon, N.Y.) gave the Rams a spark off the bench scoring eight points and adding five rebounds in nine minutes during the first half. Forzano was able to stretch the Rams offense connecting on two shots from three-point land.
The Blue Jays were able to cut the lead as close to five points with seven minutes remaining as freshman Hayley Torres (Hamden, Conn.) hit a jumper. Masterreno was the key to the Blue Jays second half offense scoring 15 of her points in the game's second period.
Sophomore Michelle Fillion (Killingworth, Conn.) had 12 points for the Blue Jays, while Torres posted a double-double scoring 10 points and led the team with 12 boards.
Sophomore Julianne Conrad (West Bridgewater, Mass.) had 11 rebounds to go along with 7 points for Suffolk. Freshman Jacquelinne Vienneau (Salem, N.H.) finished the game with a team-high four assists and five points.
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Saturday as they host Mount Ida College in GNAC action. The Rams are off until Tuesday January 26 as they travel to Framingham State College in a battle of the Rams beginning at 6:00pm.