The Cabrini women’s basketball team defeated Neumann University on Monday, Nov. 28 at Nerney Field House by a score of 50-37. The Lady Cavaliers came out energized and ready for a fight.
During the first half, the Neumann Knights kept up a tight defense. The Knights were the first to score during the first few minutes of the game but the Cavaliers were only going to let the Knights get ahead once.
Brittany Sandone, sophomore guard, scored a two-pointer for the Lady Cavs early in the game to make the score 6-2 in favor of the Cavaliers. Sandone relayed the ball back and took a sharp drive to the net for the score. She scored a total of 13 points for the Cavaliers.
Junior guard Renee Deas hit a three-point shot, pushing Cabrini’s lead to 16-4 and sent the enthusiastic crowd into a frenzy. After being fouled by Neumann’s Sami Borcky, senior forward, on a separate play, Deas was sent to the foul line where she missed both shots. MaryKate McCann, sophomore guard, picked up the rebound, where she was fouled and sent to the foul line for two more shots.
The Knights cut Cabrini’s lead to eight points after taking their first timeout and trailed 20-12 at the half.
After the break, the Knights tried to make a comeback by scoring early in the half but the Cavaliers held their ground and prevented any sort of rally. While the second half was more back and forth, Cabrini eventually took a 44-29 lead and cruised the rest of the way.
While Sandone was the only player on Cabrini’s roster with more than 10 points, sophomore guard/forward Annie Rivituso scored nine points and sophomore guard Leithie Faison scored eight points.
The Cavaliers now have a 2-2 record this season and picked up their first CSAC win of the year.
Senior Laura Caron is out this season due to a torn ACL but was still there to support her team.
“It was a great win to start off the season and there was an all-around effort by the whole team,” Caron said.
“It was a great win for us at home,” Melissa Kudzmas, junior forward, said. “Now all we have to do is keep the winning streak going and win the CSAC title.”
