AMCATS Fall to Falcons on the Road

NEW HAVEN, Conn – Anna Maria traveled to New Haven Thursday night to play Albertus Magnus in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play. The Falcons topped the 'Cats 66-53.

The AMCATS were led by senior guard Maritza Gustave (Fall River, Mass) who came off the bench and scored 11 points in the game on four-of-eight shooting, three-for-five from three-land, and grabbed five rebounds while also swatting two shots. Senior guard Kristina Russo (South Windsor, Conn) and freshman guard Franny Hammond (Worcester, Mass) each scored 10 on the night. Russo added seven rebounds and two steals. Hammond picked out five rebounds for the visitors. Leading the AMCATS in rebounding was sophomore guard Hailey Moore (Worcester, Mass) who pulled down nine boards.

The Falcons had two players record double-doubles. Tied for the game-high in scoring, junior guard Kiki Epps (Norwalk, Conn) scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Senior forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn) scored 10 points and pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds. Joining Epps with a 16 points night, junior guard Jill Johnson (North Haven, Conn) who also recorded three steals on the night and grabbed four caroms. Senior guard Angelina Piccirillo (Naugatuck, Conn) joined the double-digit club for the Falcons with 10 points of her own.

In the first quarter, the AMCATS would score first and hold the lead for the first three and a half minutes of the period when Piccirillo would hit two free throws to give the Falcons a 5-4 lead. Albertus then proceeded to go on a 13-7 run to end the quarter at 16-11. The second quarter would be the best for the Falcons as they outscored the AMCATS 24-13 to head in to the half time break up 40-24.

The third period belonged to Anna Maria with Gustave and Russo hitting multiple three pointers to help the 'Cats outscore the Falcons 17-11 to cut the lead to 10 with one quarter to play. The fourth quarter was an exchange of shots by both teams as the Falcons maintained their lead but AMC wouldn't go away quietly. Though the AMCATS were able to score 12 in the period a number of their shots seemingly wouldn't fall when they needed to. They would be outscored 15-12 by Albertus in the fourth which game the Falcons the 66-53 conference victory.

The AMCATS will be back in action on Tuesday, January 30^th when they will host St. Joseph (Conn) at 7:30pm in the Fuller Center.

To see the full box score from Thursday's game, Click Here.