BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Jan. 22, 2011) – Junior Cierra Baker (Windsor, Conn.) led with 13 points and 13 rebounds as NYIT women’s basketball fell 63-54 at Bridgeport Saturday afternoon. The Bears dropped to 5-11 on the season and 3-8 in East Coast Conference action, while the Purple Knights improved to 8-10 overall and 6-5 in league play.

 

“We underachieved and were not focused enough to win this tough road game,” said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "[Rebecca] Lynch is play at an all-conference level but we need the wins to earn those accolades at the season's end. I was pleased to see a late fight in cutting it to three but the hole we dug was too deep. It is going to take a big commitment to ready ourselves for Dowling."

 

Sophomore Rebecca Lynch (Hillsdale, N.J.) compiled her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Alexis Tyson (North Babylon, N.Y.) added 11 points.

 

For the Purple Knights, Ivana Savic registered a game-high 18 points. Elinor Avny and Kelly Keil added double-figure points with 17 and 16, respectively.

 

After Bridgeport opened with a 5-0 lead, NYIT fought back to knot the score 7-7 on a three-pointer from Alexandra Venuto (Ossining, N.Y.). The Bears then claimed its first lead of the game on another trey from Venuto. NYIT pushed its lead to 14-10 on a three-pointer from senior Sarah Vivonetto (Manorville, N.Y.). However, it was short-lived as Savic rallied for five straight points to reclaim the advantage for the Purple Knights, 15-14, with 6:21 to play. From there, the two teams exchanged leads before NYIT earned a three-point edge, 25-22, to close out the first half.  

 

Three seconds into the first half Savic tied the game for Bridgeport with a three-pointer. The score was knotted three more times before the Purple Knights created a seven-point margin, 41-34, with 14:12 on the clock. Just seven minutes later, Bridgeport owned a 13-point advantage, 57-44, on a jumper from Elsebeth Birman. After a scoreless three minutes, NYIT rallied to bring the game within three-points, 57-54. The run started at 3:51 with a layup from Baker and culminated on free throws from rookie Demitra Apergis (Littleton, Colo.) with 1:17 remaining. Bridgeport brought the contest to a close with a 6-0 run in the final minute.

 

NYIT returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 26 when it hosts Dowling College. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. at Recreation Hall.