WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 21, 2009 -- Tournament MVP Ilaria Schiano (Wallingford, Conn.) had 24 points, six assists and three steals as Saint Joseph College defeated the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 72-61 in the championship game of the 12^th Annual Saint Joseph College Tip-Off Tournament at the O’Connell Center.

 

Schiano, a junior guard, scored 19 second-half points. Saint Joseph won the tournament for the first time since 2003.

 

The Blue Jays did not trail after the first three minutes, but the contest remained close until the final stages. Saint Joseph sophomore Samantha Royce (Portland, Conn.) had 12 of her 17 points in the first half to help the Blue Jays to a 34-29 halftime lead.

 

Saint Joseph led 53-50 with 7:34 to play when a 12-2 run, featuring five points from junior Nathalie Mastarreno (Glastonbury, Conn.) and four from Schiano had the Blue Jays in control at 65-52 with 3:08 left. Saint Joseph freshman Hayley Torres (Hamden, Conn.) had 13 points and 13 rebounds and Mastarreno had 11 points and seven assists.

 

Junior guard Rebecca Grimes (Fairfax, Virg.) scored a game-high 22 points for USMMA and junior forward Janae Weathers (Fredericksburg, Virg.) scored 10. St. Joseph improved to 3-1; USMMA is 2-1.

 

The all tournament team was: Schiano, Mastarreno, Grimes, Anna Maria freshman Alison McCarthy (Lynn, Mass.) and Bard junior Latiqua Williams (Bayshore, N.Y.) Chelsea Blair (Holland, Mass.) scored 12 points and McCarthy and Emily Nugent (Worcester, Mass.) 11 apiece to lead Anna Maria (1-2) past Bard (0-2) in the consolation game, 65-39. Williams scored 16 for Bard.

 

Saint Joseph hosts Daniel Webster in fifth of seven home games to start the season, Mon. Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.