OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Feb. 9, 2011) - NYIT women's basketball defeated Queens College 74-68 Wednesday evening to improve to 5-11 in East Coast Conference play and 7-14 on the season. The Bears were paced by junior Cierra Baker (Windsor, Conn.), who compiled her 14th double-double of the season with a team-best 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. 

 

"I am really proud of how we've responded after a grueling couple of games," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "Cierra and Lynch were excellent on both ends tonight. We hit free throws and closed the game out. Tyson was huge in the second half. She played bigtime basketball after being challenge in the first half. We have to stay focused and realistically we can stay in the postseason hunt."

 

Three other players were in double-digits for NYIT as sophomore Rebecca Lynch (Hillsdale, N.J.) posted 18 points, senior Alexis Tyson (North Babylon, N.Y.) added 14 points of the bench and reigning ECC Rookie of the Week Demitra Apergis (Littleton, Colo.) tallied 11 points. 

 

Although scoring was quite tight between the two teams, NYIT dominated the boards with a 47-27 margin. The Bears were also hot from the charity stripe, shooting 86.4% compared to the Knights' 53.1%. 

 

The Bears rallied to quick 15-6 lead on baskets from Baker, Apergis and Lynch. Although the Knights produced a 10-4 run to bring the score within two points, 21-19, with 7:45 to play, the Bears continued to hold the upper hand and jumped back to a nine-point edge, 28-19, on a three-pointer from freshman Alexandra Venuto (Ossining, N.Y.), and jumpers from Apergis and Baker. However, Queens continued to fight and knotted the score 31-31 with 1:24 remaining in the half. The Knights then took their first lead of the contest on a three-pointer from Cadie Chu; but it did not last long as Lynch knotted the score 34-34 on a free throw to end the half.

 

The second half was played much tighter as the score was four times and the lead changed on five occasions. The game was last tied 59-59 on a free throw from Amanda Bartlett. The Knights then claimed a one-point edge, 60-59, on Bartlett's second free throw. After a minute and a half of scoreless play, the Bears regained control of the scoreboard on a jumper from Lynch, 61-60. From there NYIT went on a 8-2 to lead 69-60 with 42 seconds remaining. The Bears reached the final score 74-68 on free throws from Tyson.

 

For Queens, Chloe Johnson netted a game-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Christine Harnishfeger added 15 points, Chu posted 11 points and Bartlett had 10 points.

 

NYIT returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 12 on the road against neighboring C.W. Post. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Old Brookville, N.Y.