Lady AMCATS Fall to Blue Jays, 71-60

Paxton, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior Taylor Walker (Winchendon, MA) posted her seventh double-double for the season but it wasn't enough as the visiting Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph pulled away late to a 71-60 victory in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's basketball action. The AMCATS record dips to 8-9 (2-2 GNAC) while the Blue Jays move to 8-10 (1-3 GNAC) on the season.

Walker who was 10-of-14 from the floor poured in a team-high 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds including 9 offensive boards. Trafficia Warburton (Worcester, Mass.) added 12 points and nine rebounds for the AMCATS in the loss. Freshman Deja Taitt (Jamaica, NY) chipped in with eight points and seven caroms.

USJ was led by senior guard Devon Diliberto's 22 points and 6 rebounds. Teammate Heather Framski added 8 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

The AMCATS jumped out to an early lead in the first half courtesy of Walker who completed a three-point play to give the host a 10-5 edge.  The Blue Jays would go on an 8-3 run over the next few minutes to tie the game at 13 apiece. Junior Lindsey Dionne would hit a pair from the free-throw line to give the Blue Jays their first lead at the 10:25 mark.

Both teams continued to trade baskets and were tied 20-20 with 4:26 remaining.  Back-to-back baskets by Walker and Christina Gauvin  (Dudley, MA)  would put the AMCATS up by four, 24-20. The Blue Jays would counter with a trey from Brianna Ferraro to cut the lead to one.  Trailing 30-27, the Blue Jays would hit a pair at the charity stripe late in the period to head into the locker room down 30-29.

Anna Maria would score six of the first eight points in the second stanza with baskets by Walker, Lindsay Bond (Webster, MA) and Warburton to build a 5-point cushion but once again the Blue Jays would hold tough and with 15:13 to play we had the seventh tie of the game at 38-38.

Down 45-43 with 12:44 to play, the Blue Jays would break the game open with an 11-0 run and build a 54-45 advantage. Anna Maria chipped at the lead, Walker would connect on a jumper and a fast break layup to make it a 60-56 ballgame with just under four minutes on the clock. Unfortunately the Blue Jays responded with a 6-0 spurt to seal the victory.

Anna Maria returns to action on Thursday when they travel to Pine Manor College for their final non-conference contest of the year. Tipp-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.