Blue Jays Battle, But Fall To Bantams, 76-54

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team hung tough for three quarters, but were worn out in the fourth by a tall and talented Trinity College (TC) Bantams team, 76-54, inside the O'Connell Center Saturday afternoon in exhibition action.

Sophomore guard Taylor Verboven (Columbia, Conn.) led the way for the Blue Jays with a game-high 16 points and five rebounds. Sophomore point guard Amanda Fudge (Middletown, Conn.) made a series of nearly impossible plays to keep the Blue Jays around, scoring 14 points, despite a tenacious perimeter defensive showcase from the Bantams (15 forced turnovers). Fudge did all she could battling the bigs of Trinity as well, grabbing four rebounds despite being matched up with six-footers on several occasions. Three Bantams scored in double figures in the game, including freshman guard Tedi Makrigiorgos (Vienna, Va.), who was red-hot from deep (4-6 3FG), and finished with a team-high 14 points.

The size and strength of Trinity was just too much for Saint Joseph for 40 minutes, who despite trailing by double-digits numerous times showed a lot of pride and grit to get back into the game. USJ was down six, 52-46, heading into the final period. The fourth quarter was the exclamation point though for the Bantams, as back-to-back threes to kick things off put the game away (the dagger coming from Makrigiorgos).  

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Trinity 76, Saint Joseph 54
Location: O'Connell Center | West Hartford, Conn.

COACH QUOTE [Wendy Davis on today's performance]
"We had a lot of heart, we had a lot of effort. I am very happy with how we battled for three of four quarters against a very good basketball team. This whole year is practice, and to play two [New England Small College Athletic Conference] schools in a row…is going to prepare us better for our conference [next year]."

NUMBER TO KNOW

1 – The Blue Jays made just one field goal in the fourth quarter (1-10 FG, 10%), after shooting 16-of-40 through three quarters (40%).

NOTES

• The Bantams went on a 13-2 run in the third quarter to pull out to a double-digit lead.
• The Blue Jays struggled on the boards with the size of Trinity, and were outrebounded 46-29.
• Verboven scored her 16 points in the first and third quarters (eight points each).
• Trinity dominated in the paint, outscoring Saint Joseph, 36-20.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays will conclude their shortened 2020-21 season with a rematch against the Bantams of Trinity College on Sunday, March 28 at 12:00 p.m. in the O'Connell Center. Be sure to tune in live on www.usjbluejays.com

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays