Kavanagh leads Terriers past Merrimack

Sophomore's 18-point effort highlights NEC-opening win

January 4, 2023 John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Sophomore Sheridan Kavanagh led the SFC Terriers to victory Monday at The ARC in their NEC opener vs. Merrimack. Photo courtesy of SFC Brooklyn Athletics

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Eleven consecutive non-conference losses hardly meant a thing once Sheridan Kavanagh and the St. Francis Brooklyn women’s basketball team took the opener of their Northeast Conference slate.

Kavanagh, named an NEC Prime Performer this week, scored a career-high 18 points and the Terriers shook off nearly two months of losing with a 66-59 victory over visiting Merrimack Monday at The ARC.

A blistering 7-of-9 shooting performance, including a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range, proved Kavanagh was ready for her first career start. She also grabbed three rebounds and handed out a pair of assists for the Terriers (2-11, 1-0 NEC), who hadn’t posted a victory since Nov. 7.

Freshman Tyra Myers added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists to earn NEC Rookie of the Week honors for SFC, which will be back on the hardwood in pursuit of a 2-0 start to conference play Friday night vs. Central Connecticut State in Brooklyn.

The Long Island University ladies weren’t as successful in their NEC opener, dropping an 88-51 decision to visiting Fairleigh Dickinson Monday in front of 125 fans at the Steinberg Wellness Center.

Jacob Johnson’s 18 points weren’t enough to help LIU get past Sacred Heart on New Year’s Eve in Downtown Brooklyn. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics

The Sharks (2-11, 0-1) will try to snap a season-high 10-game losing streak Friday night at Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Connecticut.

On the men’s side, Jacob Johnson poured in 18 points and Marko Maletic added 12 as LIU suffered an 82-64 loss to Sacred Heart on New Year’s Eve at the Wellness Center.

Cheikh Ndiaye added seven points and 10 rebounds and R.J. Greene finished with eight points for the Sharks (2-12, 0-2), who will try to post conference win No. 1 and end a two-game slide at CCSU Friday night in New Britain, Conn.

Tedrick Wilcox Jr., amassed 12 points and six boards and Rob Higgins added 11 points, but the SFC men’s squad lost, 74-52, at CCSU on New Year’s Eve.

Josiah Harris pulled down 12 rebounds for the Terriers (6-7, 0-1), who will look to rebound from their first loss in three games Thursday afternoon at The ARC against visiting Fairleigh Dickinson.

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Over at Division III Brooklyn College, Elisha Park scored 15 points to lead five Bulldogs in double figures, but BC suffered a heartbreaking 76-69 overtime loss to CUNYAC rival John Jay Tuesday night at the West Quad Center.

Kevin Olajide had 14 points, David McFadden and Zuric Harvey added 12 apiece and Serge Thraysbule finished with 10 for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-2 CUNYAC), who will take their third shot at winning in conference play Friday night at Medgar Evers.

Elisha Park and the BC Bulldogs suffered an overtime loss to John Jay College Tuesday night at the West Quad Center. Photo courtesy of BC Athletics

Gianna Gotti put up 26 points, grabbed eight rebounds and handed out four assists Tuesday night as the BC ladies received their CUNYAC back-to-back championship rings before dismantling visiting John Jay, 75-63, at the West Quad Center.

Nancy Pham added 11 points and Aleah Rafat and Brianna Gutierrez had 10 apiece for the Bulldogs (5-7, 2-0), who will also visit Medgar Evers Friday.