Tough Send-off

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – D'Ana Rolle (Gardner, Mass.) scored a game-high 19 points as the Johnson & Wales women's basketball team defeated the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) 65-56 Saturday in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference  game at the O'Connell Center.

The Wildcats finished their regular season 9-16 overall and 6-5 in the GNAC. USJ ended at 12-13 and 5-6. Both teams will play in the upcoming GNAC tournament.

Before the game, USJ honored its three seniors – Devon Diliberto (Waterbury, Conn.), Mary Hyde (Derby, Conn.) and Shauna Sullivan (Rocky Hill, Conn.) – who were playing their final home game.

Hyde had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, Sullivan had nine points and 11 rebounds and Diliberto had eight points and five steals for the Blue Jays.

"They have been exemplary student-athletes, competitors and leaders for the program," USJ coach Jack Casey said. "All of their efforts and sacrifices – as well as those of their families – are greatly appreciated. We wish them all the best in the next exciting chapters of their personal life stories and sincerely thank them for their impact on our program and also on our campus community."

The game was taped for broadcast by CPTV Sports and will air for the first time Thur. Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. Other airtimes include Fri. Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m., Sat. March 1 at 10 a.m. and Sun. March 2 at 1 a.m.

Valerie Arce (Providence, R.I.) and Kaitlin Kenney (Branford, Conn.) both had double-doubles for JWU. Arce had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Kenney had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Heather Framski (Prospect, Conn.) had 13 points and eight rebounds for USJ.

Behind five points from Framski, USJ closed the first half on a 12-2 run to lead 33-30 at halftime. The Blue Jays' lead peaked at 38-30 with 6:27 to play after a pair of free throws from Brianna Ferraro (Waterbury, Conn.) with 16:27 to play. JWU came back to tie at 39 and again at 45 after two free throws from Arce with 7:26 left. There was only one lead change in the second half and the Wildcats went in front for good at 46-45 with 6:53 left on a free throw from Natalie DiCocco (Media, Pa.) JWU finished by going 9-for-12 at the free throw line in the final 2:00.

Official GNAC tournament pairings have not been announced, but it expected that USJ, as the sixth seed, will play at No. 3 Rivier, Tue. Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.