Stellar Defense Lifts Women's Hoops Past MCLA, 75-35

WEST HARTFORD, Conn - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team won its third straight game to start the 2022-23 season, defeating MCLA in convincing fashion, 75-35, on Tuesday night inside the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford. The Blue Jays played stellar defense in the second half, allowing only 11 points. The 3-0 start is the first for the Blue Jays since the 2003-04 season.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: USJ 75, MCLA 35
Records: USJ 3-0, MCLA 2-2
Location: James A. Calhoun Gymnasium | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both sides traded buckets inside the opening minutes as the score was deadlocked at 2-2 at the 7:55 mark. USJ would explode on offense, jumping out to a lead after a timely 12-0 run. Fueling the Blue Jays stretch was six points from junior forward Jordan Ouellette (Bristol, Conn.). The USJ defense was stout in the first half, keeping the Trailblazers off the board for a 4:22 stretch to take its commanding lead. MCLA would pull back within single digits late in the first quarter, getting as close as seven, 16-9, but a Taylor Verboven (Columbia, Conn.) jumper with 1:14 on the clock saw USJ take a 18-9 edge after the first quarter.

MCLA used a quick 4-0 stretch to cut the gap in the second quarter, keeping the Blue Jays scoreless in the opening minutes. Sophomore guard Maya Slisz (New Britain, Conn.) cut the Trailblazers momentum, sinking a triple at the 7:35 mark to give USJ a 21-13 advantage. MCLA continued to fight back though, pulling within four, 21-17, but a 12-0 Blue Jay run reestablished a 16-point lead, 33-17, with 4:16 remaining in the opening half. Senior guard Amanda Fudge (Middletown, Conn.) paced the Blue Jays during the big stretch, tallying five points. The Blue Jays continued to play strong defense for the remainder of the half, going into the halftime break up, 37-24.

The Blue Jays continued to roll in the second half, jumping out on a 7-0 run, paced by a Verboven three, taking a 44-24 edge. The two teams continued to trade buckets for the remainder of the quarter, until freshman guard Jordan Farrell (West Hartford, Conn.) knocked down a three-pointer to give USJ a 25-point lead, 54-29 with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter as the Blue Jays lead, 56-31 going into the final quarter.

USJ continued to play stellar defense, keeping the Trailblazers off the board until the 7:25 mark. After another MCLA basket with 6:24 remaining, the Blue Jays put on the clamps, not allowing another MCLA point for the remainder of the contest. USJ would score 13 unanswered points to close out the game, taking home its third-straight victory, 75-35.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Ouellette led all scorers with 16 points. She nearly recorded her second consecutive double-double, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.
• Fudge (14 points) and Verboven (10 points) joined Ouellette in double figures.
• Verboven paced the team with seven assists, while grabbing six rebounds.
• Fudge was a menace on defense, swiping three steals.
• USJ outshot MCLA 46.5 percent to 27.5 percent.
• The Blue Jays limited the Trailblazers to 11.1 percent shooting from behind the arc.
• USJ dominated inside the paint, scoring 44 of its 75 points from in close.
• The Blue Jays won the turnover battle, forcing 25 MCLA miscues while committing only 11. The 25 turnovers lead to 33 USJ points.
• The 35 points were the fewest the Blue Jays have given up since limiting Dean to 32 last year.
• USJ has now beaten opponents by 40 or more points in two games this season.
• The Blue Jays extended its winning streak to three games against the Trailblazers. USJ is now 3-4 all-time against MCLA.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays take a 13-day hiatus before returning to the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford for a matchup against intra-state foe Western Connecticut on Tuesday, November 29. Tipoff against the Wolves is set for 7:00 p.m. Those who cannot attend can follow all the action live on www.usjbluejays.com.

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