USJ Claims Tip-Off Tournament Title For First Time Since 2011

WEST HARTFORD, Conn - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team was clicking on all cylinders Saturday afternoon, claiming the crown in the USJ Tip-off Tournament, presented by Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, in a 66-44 win over the Raptors of Bard College in non-conference action. The Blue Jays win the tournament for the first time since 2011, and the sixth time in tournament history. USJ also recorded 20 assists both games this weekend; Saint Joseph hasn't had 20 assists in consecutive games since November 19 and 21 of 2013.

The Raptors came out strong on an 8-0 run, led by senior guard Christina Kiser (North Providence, R.I.), one of the top scorers in the nation (39 points in her season debut). The Blue Jays answered though with an 11-1 run to take the lead. It would be the last lead change of the game, as USJ, behind a plethora of passes in the paint and in transition, picked apart the Bard defense en route to their second straight win. Both men's and women's basketball hoisted the championship plaque in their respective home tournaments in the last seven days.

Freshman guard Maya Slisz (New Britain, Conn.) who had a double-double Friday night against Lesley, and eight points in the win over Bard Saturday, was voted the MVP of the USJ Tip-Off Tournament. Sophomore forward Olivia Heslin (Plainville, Conn.), also made the all-tournament team.

USJ Tip-Off Tournament All-Tournament Team
#44 Thalia Grandinetti (Bard)
#12 Brianna Barnes (Lehman)
#20 Sydnie Drezek (Lesley)
#4 Olivia Heslin (Saint Joseph)
#14 Maya Slisz (Saint Joseph) [MVP]

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Bard 44, Saint Joseph 66
Records: BARD 1-2, USJ 2-2
Location: O'Connell Center | West Hartford, Conn.
Game Notes: USJ Tip-Off Tournament Championship

PLAYER QUOTE [Maya Slisz on winning the MVP and the team's success] "It means everything to me. Anyone on the team deserved the MVP because we played so well together this weekend. I'm just so proud of myself and my teammates. The coaches tell us to focus on defense every day, and share the ball as best as we can to get everybody involved. We just have to continue to keep our energy up, rebound, box out, and get our teammates open looks to give us opportunities to put points on the board."

COACH QUOTE [Wendy Davis] "It was a total team effort. We are doing a great job of sharing the basketball, which is what we really are focusing on doing. We are also focusing on running, and getting those easy scoring opportunities. We did both of those things very well this weekend. As a coach, all you can ask for is for them to work hard in practice, and then come out and execute in the game. Last week we looked a little nervous, we were hesitant, so that is why this weekend was so important for us to get on track and play well."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays will be back in action next on Tuesday, November 23 in their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener, a home game against the Blazers of Elms College. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m., part of a USJ men's and women's basketball doubleheader, both against Elms and tickets can be purchased for both games on www.usjbluejays.com/tickets. The men will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. Those who cannot attend can follow all the action live on www.usjbluejays.com.

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