USJ Hoops Sinks Sharks, 81-55

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Junior guard Devon Diliberto (Waterbury, Conn.) scored a season-high 25 points and the University of Saint Joseph basketball team pulled away in the second half Saturday in an 81-55 GNAC victory over Simmons at the O'Connell Center.

Saint Joseph improved to 9-4 overall and 2-2 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Blue Jays are 6-1 at home this season and 26-7 at the O'Connell Center over the past three seasons. Simmons is 2-11 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

Diliberto made 9 of 14 field goal attempts including 4 of 6 on three-pointers and was 3-for-3 at the line. It was the 49th double-figure scoring game of her career and the 15th time she has scored at least 20 points. Diliberto also had six assists and three steals.

Mary Hyde (Derby, Conn.) had 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Blue Jays. Heather Framski (Prospect, Conn.) had 13 points and six rebounds. Liz O'Connor (Milton, Mass.) led Simmons with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Hannah May (Hamden, Conn.) had 11 points and eight boards.

Simmons got off to a quick start and led 11-8 on a three-pointer by Jen Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.), 6:58 into the game. The Blue Jays then went on a 13-0 run that included three transition layups to lead 21-11 with 9:44 to play in the half. Shauna Sullivan (Rocky Hill, Conn.), Diliberto and Hyde (one three-pointer) each had two baskets in the run.

USJ led 41-30 at halftime, but Simmons got within 41-35 on two free throws from O'Connor a minute into the second half and the Sharks stayed close until the final 10 minutes. Two more O'Connor free throws got Simmons within 57-49 with 11:26 remaining. But nine unanswered points, six by Diliberto, put USJ up 66-49 with 8:56 to play and the Blue Jays cruised to the victory.

St. Joseph forced 22 turnovers and had a huge 31-9 advantage on points off turnovers and a 21-4 margin on fast break points. All 10 USJ players who dressed scored.

St. Joseph plays at Trinity Monday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. The Blue Jays next home game is Saturday, Jan. 26 when they host St. Joseph's (Maine) at 1 p.m.