BOSTON, Mass. (taken from a Simmons College press release) -- The Brandeis University women's basketball team will close out the Fall 2013 semester with a .500 record after defeating the host Simmons College Sharks tonight, 65-36, in non-conference action at the Holmes Sports Center. The Judges improve to 4-4, while Simmons falls to 1-7.
Pacing the Judges was senior forward Nicolina Vitale (Clinton Township, Mich./Chippewa Valley), who posted 12 points on 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-2 from the line. She also ahad a career-high four assists. Classmate Kasey Dean (Southington, Conn./Pomperaug), added nine points. Sophomore Kaley Marston (Bow, N.H./Tilton School) and senior Angela Miller (Sicklerville, N.J. / Timber Creek) came off the bench to score seven points apiece. Marston's career-high included a four-point play in the second half. Rookie forward Maria Jackson (Rochester, N.Y. / Hilton) dominated in the paint with a game- and career-high 11 rebounds.
Simmons was led by seniors Leah Davis (Cranston, R.I.), who scored 11 points and picked up three rebounds, while Hannah May (Hamden, Conn.) buried three shots from behind the arc for nine points and four defensive rebounds.
The Judges took a 31-15 first half lead, and never trailed, as Vitale, Dean, rookie Paris Hodges (Southampton, N.Y./Southampton) and Miller adding six points apiece. Hannah May hit two three-pointers to close the gap for the Sharks but Brandeis kept up the pressure.
In the second half, the Judges opened with six straight points before the Sharks buried two threes and a layup by Davis to cut the deficit to 16. The Judges went on an unanswered 13-point run and cruised to a 65-36 victory.
The Judges are off until Dec. 31 for their annual New Year's Eve Day tilt Husson University at 1:00 p.m.