‘Cats Lose Close One to Bluejays

WEST HARTFORD, Conn – Saturday afternoon the AMCATS travelled to the University of St. Joseph in Connecticut to take on another Great Northeast Athletics Conference opponent. Though Anna Maria was able to run with the Bluejays all game long, they came up just short falling to USJ, 56-45.

For the AMCATS, senior guard Kristina Ruso (South Windsor, Conn) continued her run of double-digit scoring game, leading AMC with 13 points on the afternoon. Graduate student Johanna Burke (Oxford, Mass) had her best outing of the year are she posted her first double-double as an AMCAT with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the visitors. Junior center Shannon Hoffmiller (Oxford, Conn) and sophomore forward Hailey Moore (Worcester, Mass) has similar score lines, each scoring seven points while pulling down six boards. Moore also recorded four blocks in the game.

St. Joseph were led by senior forward Kayla Guest (Newington, Conn) as she scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Freshman forward Shaniyah Williams (New Britain, Conn) posted a double-double for the hosts with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Joining Guest and Williams with a double digit day was Rajeen Mayo (Middletown, Conn) with 10 points. Mayo added eight rebounds to her stat line.

The Bluejays jumped out to a 6-2 lead two minutes in to the game but, AMC quickly closed the gap with a three-pointer from Russo. The AMCATS never lead in the first but were able to keep pace with USJ staying within five as the quarter finished, 16-11, in favor of the Bluejays. In the second, quarter the AMCATS would outscore USJ 16-14 as the defense was able to step up to cut the lead to 30-27 to close out the half.

After the break, the 'Jays hit an early three to extend their lead back out to six. The 'Cats answered with a three of their own from Russo. When the third quarter was done, USJ had picked the points back up that they had given away going in to the half and took a 44-39 lead in to the final period.

The fourth quarter was all St. Joseph for the most part as the 'Cats didn't seem to be able to cut the deficit. Anna Maria fell behind by 13 at one point before two made free throws to back within 11. Though the AMCATS never led in this game they kept it close until the very end as that 11-point advantage for the Bluejays would be how things would finish, with a final score of 56-45.

The AMCATS will be back on the court on Tuesday evening when they host Emmanuel in GNAC play at 7:30pm.