Yorke Drops Career-High 21 Points as Women's Hoops Falls to Williams in Morin Memorial Tournament Opener

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's basketball team fell to host Williams College, 62–38, in the opening game of the Morin Memorial Tournament Friday night inside Chandler Gymnasium. Sophomore guard Nevaeh Yorke (Norwich, Conn.) delivered a career performance, posting a double-double with a career-high 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals. With the result, the Blue Jays drop to 0-4 to start the season, while the Ephs improve to 1-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

USJ opened the game strong, taking a 6-2 lead after early baskets from junior forward Gjamory'a McTier (Palmer, Mass.) and Yorke. The teams traded scores throughout the remainder of the quarter until back-to-back layups from freshman forward Reagan Heafey-De Angelis (South Windsor, Conn.) and Yorke gave the Blue Jays a 13-12 lead heading into the second.

Williams then began to separate, using a 12-0 run to build a 26-17 advantage with 4:32 left in the half. Yorke continued her aggressive play, knocking down three free throws before the break, but the Ephs entered halftime ahead 32-20.

The momentum carried into the third quarter, where Williams outscored USJ 18-4 to extend the deficit to 50–24 entering the fourth. The Blue Jays responded with their strongest offensive period of the night, as Yorke continued attacking downhill while sophomore guard Trinity Cruz (Windsor Locks, Conn.) provided timely defensive pressure to force turnovers. USJ scored 14 points in the final frame, but the early gap proved too large to overcome as Williams secured the 62–38 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Yorke led the offense with a career-high 21 points.

• She also tied her career highs with 10 rebounds and five steals, leading USJ in both categories.

• Heafey-De Angelis and junior guard Kiatyanna Denmark (New Britain, Conn.) each scored their first career points.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays will compete in the consolation game of the Morin Memorial Tournament tomorrow, Saturday, November 22, against Keene State College, who fell in triple overtime to Plattsburgh later Friday evening. Tip-off against the Owls inside Chandler Gymnasium is set for 1:00 p.m.

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