"This was a fantastic win led by C.C. [Baker]," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "Her near quadruple-double was fun to watch on both ends of the court. It was a great win, especially to do so without two starters and a lot of new faces."

 

Baker posted a double-double with 10 rebounds and nearly had a quadruple-double with six assists and nine steals. Junior Nikki Jo Rotolo (Rome, N.Y.) added 13 points for the Bears, while sophomore Demitra Apergis (Littleton, Colo.) and junior Chloe Johnson (Sea Cliff, N.Y.) added 10 points each. 

 

For the Griffins, Lindsay Alexander led the team with 15 points, while Ebony Washington grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.

 

Chestnut Hill took early control of the game with a 15-6 lead at the 14:34 mark. But NYIT used a short rally that ended with a three-pointer by Apergis to knot the score for the first time at 19-19 with 9:17 to play. The lead exchanged hands twice before the Griffins regained control. Yet, the Bears did not give up and tied the game 34-34 on free throws by Amber Davis (Mastic, N.Y.) with just second to play. The score remained that way at the half. 

 

The game was tied three times in the opening minutes of the second half but Chestnut Hill was the one to come out on top once again on a three-pointer by Marquesh Spicer. The Griffins claimed their largest lead of the half, 54-46, on a jumper by Annie Farrow before the Bears began to claw away at the gap. Junior Sabrinna Moore (Flushing, N.Y.) jump started NYIT's defense in the final 11 minutes and a layup by Rotolo with 5:39 to play put NYIT up for good 64-63. From there, the Bears went on an 11-0 run to claim a 75-63 edge with just under one minute to play. Although baskets were exchanged the Bears earned their largest lead of the game, 80-66, on a free throw by Baker. The Bears held on for the 80-70 win. 

 

NYIT returns to action on Monday, Nov. 21 on the road against the Clippers of Concordia. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y.