Box Score WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Maria Palarino scored 17 points to lead St. Francis Brooklyn past Norfolk State 59-55 in the consolation game of the Hawk Holiday Classic hosted by Monmouth University on Wednesday afternoon at The MAC.
The Terriers (3-8) outscored NSU (0-11) 31-17 in the middle two periods to keep the Spartans winless on the year.
Spartan forward
Siobhan Beslow tied her career high with 18 points and added a game-high 11 rebounds for NSU. She also blocked a career-high four shots to make the all-tournament team.
The Spartans got off to a strong start, forcing St. Francis to miss 14 of its first 16 shots. The Spartans countered by shooting 57 percent (8-of-14) in the first quarter to take a 16-6 lead into the second period. NSU then used a 6-0 spurt early in the second quarter, capped by a Beslow jumper, to take a 22-9 with 5:22 left in the half. The 13-point lead was the largest of the game for either team.
After a jumper by guard
Kiara Phillips made it 24-12 in NSU's favor less than a minute later, the Spartans went cold. NSU didn't score another point the rest of the half - a span of 4:29 - and the Terriers ended the quarter on a 10-0 run to get within 24-22 at the intermission.
A layup by Palarino gave the Terriers their first lead of the game, 31-29, with 4:08 left in the third quarter. Spartan guard
Yazmen Hannah answered with a 3-pointer to give NSU a short-lived lead, but the Spartans went the final 3:49 of the period without a field goal and trailed 37-33 entering the final period.
NSU got as close as two points in the fourth quarter. Beslow's jumper with 3:06 to play brought NSU within 48-46. The Terriers answered with 3-pointers by Palarino and Kat Phipps on their next two possessions to stretch their lead to 54-48 with just under two minutes remaining. NSU stuck around as Hannah buried two 3-pointers less than 30 seconds apart, but Phipps and Dana Direnzo hit one free throw apiece in the final 30 seconds to seal the win.
Beslow made 9-of-14 from the floor to tie her career high in scoring set against Oakland last month. She also tallied her fifth double-double of the season. Hannah was the only other Spartan in double figures. She scored 11 points and hit 3-of-4 from long distance. She also had two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Spartans shot 43 percent from the floor for the game and held the Terriers to 31 percent shooting, but NSU committed 22 turnovers. St. Francis also scored 22 points off 18 offensive rebounds and hit eight 3-pointers, three by Phipps.
The Spartans play their final 15 regular-season games against MEAC opponents, beginning with a 6 p.m. game Monday at Coppin State.
