Saint Joseph's Routes UMBC At Hawk Classic, 104-45

PHILADELPHIA - The last time the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team scored 100 points, head coach Cindy Griffin was running the point for the Hawks. On Monday, Griffin saw the Hawks reach the century mark for the first time since the 1989-90 season as Saint Joseph's routed UMBC, 104-45, in the semifinals of the 23rd Annual Hawk Classic.

The Hawks (5-6) will face Central Michigan in Tuesday's title game at 3 p.m.

Taking control from the tip, Saint Joseph's jumped out to an 11-2 lead on a three-pointer by Ciara Andrews as the Hawks converted their first four shots.

Dominating at both ends, the Hawks went on a 14-2 run, capped by an Alyssa Monaghan three-pointer to push the lead to 25-4.

UMBC (8-4) was held to just 3-of-12 from the field in the first quarter, while the Hawks converted 12-of-17, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, to open a 38-9 lead after the first period.

Outscoring the Retrievers by a combined 45-19 in the next two quarters, Saint Joseph's set itself up to reach 100 points for the first time since a 107-77 win over St. Bonaventure on January 4, 1990.

Following a strong start to the final quarter, junior Mackenzie Rule found rookie Michala Clay for a cutting layup to lift the Hawks to 100 points with 4:38 to play.

Saint Joseph's finished the game shooting 56.1 percent overall (37-of-66), hit a season best 13-of-25 from three-point range and converted 17-of-21 from the foul line (81 percent). Finishing with a 47-21 edge in rebounding, the Hawks added 21 second chance points and turned 16 UMBC turnovers in 23 points.

Individually, Kathleen Fitzpatrick led five Hawks in double figures with 15 points as all 13 SJU players in uniform scored. Sophomore Chelsea Woods added a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Andrews had a game-high six assists and four steals to go with six points. Sophomore Adashia Franklyn had a career-high 14 points to go with five rebounds.

At the other end, UMBC shot just 28.8 percent from the field (15-of-52) and 26.7 percent from behind the arc (4-of-15). Taylor McCarley had a team-best eight points to lead the Retrievers.

In the second semifinal, Central Michigan topped Rider, 76-58. The Broncs will face UMBC in the consolation game at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Game Notes: The 59 point differential is the largest is Hawk Classic history...The SJU bench accounted for 46 points...Today's differential was the highest of any game under head coach Cindy Griffin with the previous coming at 48 versus Morgan State (12/28/01)...Sarah Fairbanks had 11 points and five assists...Monaghan was 4-of-6 from three-point range for 12 points...Amanda Fioravanti finished with eight points and seven rebounds...Jazmin Horne added seven points and four assist...Sarah Veilleux finished with six points...Clay and classmate Kristalyn Baisden each finished with four points apiece...Rule finished with three points.