Women's Basketball Soars Past Blue Jays, 63-47

WEST HARTFORD, Conn.—Senior Trafficia Warburton (Worcester, Mass.) posted her 12^thdouble-double of 2014-15 with 25 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Anna Maria College women's basketball team to a 63-47 win against the University of Saint Joseph on Tuesday evening in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

With the win, the AMCATS improve to 8-11 overall and 3-3 in GNAC play, while the loss drops the Blue Jays of USJ to 7-12 overall and 2-3 in league action.

Warburton posted her 25 points on a 45 percent shooting effort (9-for-20) with a three-pointer and six free-throws. She tallied an even eight offensive and eight defensive boards, while also dishing out two assists and picking up two steals.

Sophomore Christina Gauvin (Dudley, Mass.) and freshman Kristina Russo (South Windsor, Conn.) both added 10 points apiece, while sophomore Deja Taitt (Jamaica, N.Y.) dished out four assists.

The Blue Jays' Heather Framski also posted a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds. Stephanie DeJesus added nine points, while Brianna Ferraro scored eight points. Carlee Putnam handed out six assists.

Neither team managed to shoot well in a slow first half. Anna Maria was 8-for-30 (26.7 percent) and USJ was 6-for-27 (22.2 percent) as the AMCATS built a 24-12 halftime edge.

Facing a 27-14 deficit early in the second half, the Blue Jays put together an 11-2 run to tighten things. DeJesus had five points and consecutive baskets from Framski got USJ within four, 29-25, with 14:16 to play.

Anna Maria countered with a 9-1 run as Warburton had seven in the push to re-establish the AMCATS' lead at 38-26 with 10:58 left. USJ again came within single-digits, at 40-32, on a jumper from Kayla Guest but the Blue Jays would get no closer and Anna Maria edged away throughout the closing stages.

The AMCATS are back in action on Thursday for a 7:00 p.m. GNAC game at Simmons.