BROOKLYN, N.Y. - A second-half run by host St. Joseph's College erased a 16-point lead by Southern Vermont College and left the Mountaineer women on the short end of an 81-73 final score on Saturday.

SVC (2-5) received a 25-point performance from point guard Joa Claircius as well as strong games from fellow freshmen Alyssa Davis (15 points), Kristen Cummings (11 points) and Tasha Smith (10 rebounds). But a monster game from the Bears' Ashley McQuillan (34
points) proved too much for the Mountaineers.

The Mountaineers took a 15-point lead, 35-20, on a three-pointer by Calircius with 4:56 remaining in the first half. SVC carried a 37-30 lead into halftime, then mounted a 6-0 run to begin the second half.

The Bears (4-4) clawed back and took their first lead, 58-57, on a jumper by Melissa Velez (13 points) with 8:04 remaining. The game was deadlocked at 62-all with 4:54 left, but St. Joseph's ended on a 19-11 run to prevail.

Tiarra Hall (seven points, eight rebounds) and Kiara Bates (six points, five rebounds) each had one of their better showings thus far for SVC, while Markeisha Mullen pulled down five rebounds in her first game back with the Mountaineers. Southern Vermont was plagued
by foul trouble during the game, as the Bears attempted a whopping 41 free throws to SVC's 15.

Southern Vermont plays next on Jan. 6, at home against MCLA at 7 p.m.