Standish, ME - It was a well-balanced scoring attack which led the Saint Joseph's College women's basketball team to a 69-37 win over College of St. Joseph (VT) in the Merry Monk Classic today. Sophomore Sasha Bowen (Boston, MA) scored a career-high 16 points, had 7 steals, 5 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.

Bowen was joined by two others in double figures, junior captain Megan Farrell (Abington, MA) had 11 points and FY Allison Miner (Pembroke, NH) had 10 points.

The Monks took advantage of seven CSJ turnovers during the first 10 minutes of play to build up a 17-2 lead. Sophomore Michelle Thompson (Plymouth, NH) knocked down a deep three at 9:34, but the Fighting Scots struggled against the SJC defensive pressure and went into half-time down 36-16.

St. Joe's began the second half as they had ended the first, creating offense from their defense and executing in the half court. Junior captain Ashton Coutu (Danville, VT) kept the Monks on track with 4 second half points and 3 steals and FY Katey Kamal (Keene, NH) scored a career-best 7 points.

Junior Vicki Guetti (Rutland, VT) pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds and led the Fighting Scots with 14 points. Junior Erica Raiche (West Rutland, VT) had 9 points and sophomore Irene Tompkins (Schenectady, NY) finished with 7 rebounds, 4 points, 3 steals and 2 assists.

In the closing game of the Classic, senior Lashannen Hogue (Yonkers, NY) recorded her second double-double of the Merry Monk Classic (21 points, 14 rebounds) to pace John Jay College to a 68-52 win over Maine Presque Isle.

During the first half, the teams battled to a 15-15 tie and Hogue gave the Bloodhounds the lead at 11:22 after scoring on one of her 10 offensive rebounds. UMPI would get no closer as John Jay finished the first half with a 36-28 advantage.

The Owls stayed within striking distance early in the second half, cutting the lead to 7 points on two free throws by sophomore Ashley Epright (Nucla, CO) at 13:57 but the Bloodhounds closed out the game forcing fifteen turnovers and outscoring Presque Isle 17-13 over the final 11 minutes.

John Jay senior Nasira Johnson (Newark, NJ) (11 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals, 6 assists) was selected to the All-Classic Team. Junior Mahogany Payne (Columbia, SC) finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds for the Bloodhounds.

Presque Isle sophomore Erica Davis (Cumberland, ME), earned a spot on the All-Classic Team and pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds and had 7 points while senior Leah Joy (Swans Island, ME) had 11 points.