The Berkeley College women's basketball team suffered a tough loss in its home opener on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Bobcats of Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse by a score of 80-75. The game took place at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York, NY. With the defeat, the Knights slipped to a mark of 1-2 on the 2019-2020 campaign, while the Bobcats improved to 3-3 with the triumph.
Despite the loss for the Knights, Berkeley College was paced by Amirah Greene, as she posted a game-high of 30 points (13-24 FG) in her season debut. She also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, while registering three steals and picking up a pair of assists. Sabriana Franck contributed 15 points, as she connected on six of her nine attempts at the line, while also adding three assists and three steals, and Jordan Washington finalized her afternoon with 12 points, six caroms, and four steals.
In the victory for Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse, the Bobcats were paced by Amanda Cruz, as she was sensational on the day, scoring a team-high 20 points (7-12 FG) while recording a game-high 10 assists. She also contributed four steals and four rebounds, as well. Lakeima Williams posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Tashema Lee also registered a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
Things looked bleak for the Knights in the early stages of this one, as Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse raced out to an 8-0 advantage just 2:41 into the contest. The Bobcats would go up by as many as 13 in the first quarter, and led 25-14 following 10 minutes of action.
After going down 27-14 early in the second quarter, Berkeley used a 10-0 run over a span of 2:08 to pull within three points at 27-24. Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse would answer the Knights run with a run of its own, outscoring Berkeley 9-1 over the ensuing 2:49 to pull back ahead 36-25. Berkeley continued to battle, keeping things close, before eventually heading into the locker room down six, 43-37.
The Bobcats owned the first 4:02 of the second half, as Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse scored the period's first seven points to once again take a double digit advantage, 50-37. The Knights refused to give up, though, outscoring the opposition 17-5 for the remainder of the quarter to bring themselves to within one point, 55-54, at the conclusion of three periods.
Another Bryant & Stratton scoring spurt appeared to be the dagger, as the Bobcats catapulted to a 71-61 edge with just five minutes remaining. Berkeley, with one last gasp, put together an incredible 12-2 run to tie the game at 73 apiece with 1:36 remaining.
On the Bobcats next possession following Berkeley tying the contest, Tashema Lee converted on a jumper to put her team up 75-73. On the other end, Greene's potential go-ahead three pointer was off the mark, but she collected her own rebound and buried the layup to tie the game at 75 with 48 seconds left.
On Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse's next trip down the floor, Suliat Afolabi nailed a three-point basket to put her team up 78-75. Berkeley would not score again, and the Bobcats would connect on two out of four free throw attempts down the stretch, eventually going on to win the game by five, handing the Knights a tough defeat.
The Bobcats connected on 44.8 percent of their attempts on the afternoon (30-67), compared to a 37.7 conversion rate for Berkeley (29-77). Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse won the turnover battle, snatching 50 caroms to the Knights 45, and it was Berkeley committing less turnovers, as the Knights had 23 compared to 32 for the opposition.
Berkeley will look to bounce back on Monday evening, as the Knights will travel to Glen Cove, NY to take on Webb Institute. Start-time for that contest is scheduled for 7:30pm.
