WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DOWNS JOHNSON & WALES, 78-39

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Emmanuel College women's basketball team continued to roll in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon, downing Johnson & Wales University, 78-39, at the Wildcat Center.

The two teams traded baskets early with a jumper by JWU senior Ayla Walter (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) making the score 14-12 in favor of Emmanuel.  The visiting Saints then used a 13-5 run, capped by a pair of free throws by sophomore Britni Mikulanecz (Portland, Maine) to make the score 27-17.  Emmanuel then closed out the half on a 14-2 run to take the 41-19 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

The second half saw Emmanuel pull away early, before cruising to the 78-39 victory.

Junior Bria Tiro (Saugus, Mass.) paced Emmanuel, tying her season-high with 12 points, to go along with three assists. Sophomore Lena Negri (Arlington, Va.) added 11 points off 5 for 7 shooting, as well as eight rebounds.  Junior Jasmine Burwell (Brentwood, N.Y.) went 5 for 6 from the floor, scoring a season-high 10 points, while senior captain Fiona O'Dwyer (Stamford, Conn.) rounded out a quartet of double-figure scorers with 10 points and 9 rebounds in the victory for the Saints.

Johnson & Wales was led by senior Marina Milian (Monroe, N.Y.) with 10 points, four rebounds and two steals, while Walter added seven points and five boards in the loss for the Wildcats. 

With the setback, Johnson & Wales falls to 5-10 for the year and 2-2 in the GNAC while Emmanuel is now 12-4 overall and 4-0 in league play.  The Wildcats will return to action on Monday, January 21st when they travel to St. Joseph's College of Maine for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at 5:30 PM.  The Saints will face off at crosstown rival Emerson College the same day at 3:00 PM.

*Release provided courtesy of JWU Sports Information Dept.