OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Feb. 23, 2011) - Junior Cierra Baker (Windsor, Conn.) registered her first triple-double with game-high 26 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists to lead NYIT women's basketball to an 84-61 victory over Mercy College Wednesday night.

 

"Our seniors really stepped up from the jump ball in being the driving force behind the victory," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "I am so proud of the toughness and leadership that Alexis and Sarah showed in preparation all week and in tonight's game."

 

With the win, NYIT improves to 8-17 on the season and 6-14 in East Coast Conference play. The Bears have now doubled their wins total from last season. Meanwhile, Mercy dropped to 4-16 overall and 6-19 in league action. 

 

"Cierra Baker was an All-American tonight," added Crocitto. "From the start of the game, she was ready and really shined bright. My team was ready tonight. We wanted the last game to mean something and we must work in preparing to win."

 

Senior Alexis Tyson (Roosevelt, N.Y.) added 14 points and freshman Alexandra Venuto (Ossining, N.Y.) chipped in with 12 points, all from behind the arc.

 

After an opening 20-2 run in the first five minutes that included two three-pointers from senior Sarah Vivonetto (Manorville, N.Y.), NYIT consistently held a 20-point advantage over Mercy. Baker scored 17 of her 26 points in the half, shooting 7-for-9 from the field and 3-for-4 at the charity stripe. The Bears reached 40 points on a three-pointer from Venuto, 41-18. Venuto then put NYIT up 46-21 with another trey at 2:18. The Bears held a 48-27 edge at halftime.

 

The Mavericks fought back in the opening minutes of the second half, but the deficit was too much to make up. The Bears led by as many as 28 points, 74-46, with 5:50 on the clock. NYIT went on to win 84-61 on a layup from Baker.

 

For Mercy, Ashley Borofsky had 19 points and Jasmine Williams grabbed 11 rebounds.

 

The Bears return to action on Saturday, Feb. 26 on the road against the Lions of Molloy. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. in Rockville Centre.