BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's basketball team used a 44-27 scoring advantage in the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit and pick up the win at St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) on Saturday. The 70-58 victory improves Manhattanville's record to 10-2 (6-1 Skyline).

Niyona Smith (Towson, MD/Concordia Prep) led the Valiants in both facets of the game, scoring 15 with 18 rebounds. It was the rookie's third double-double of the season, her first since a 23 point, 20 rebound effort against St. Joseph's (Long Island) back on Nov. 20. Smith pulled down eight rebounds off the offensive glass and went 7-for-15 in free throw attempts. Jamison Agostino (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville) also scored 15 points to match Smith's mark in the sophomore's highest point total of her young career.

Faith Johnson-Desilvia (Riverhead, N.Y./Riverhead) and Ali Mikaele (Silver Spring, Md./St. Andrew's Episcopal School) both also reached the double figure mark offensively with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Johnson-Desilvia also had 10 rebounds to tie her season-high and earn her second double-double of her senior campaign.

The Valiants shot just 32 percent from the field on the day, their lowest mark in a win and their third lowest shooting percentage of the season. Despite shots not falling, Manhattanville hung tough and gave the Bears' shooters fits. The St. Joseph's offense was limited to a 24 percent success rate from the field, the second-lowest percentage the Valiants have allowed this season.

Things began to finally click in the second half for Manhattanville, with the team shooting 36 percent compared to the 28 percent mark in the first. Smith and Agostino took charge over the final 20 minutes, as the young tandem combined for 23 of their 30 points in the second half. Smith was also extremely effective in shutting down second chance opportunities for the Bears, pulling in 13 rebounds in the second half alone.

A 10-0 run towards the tailend of the third pout the Valiants ahead for the remainder of the way. The Bears refused to go quietly, sinking three free throws to close out the third and hitting a three pointer courtesy of Kelly O'Donnell early in the fourth to keep the Valiant advantage to a single point. A 5-0 run comprised of all free throws was able to give the Valiants some separation, while a 6-0 run with three minutes remaining allowed the visitors to put the game to rest.

Up Next
The Valiants will next be in action on Tuesday against the St. Joseph's Long Island counterparts. Manhattanville takes on the Golden Eagles in Patchogue at 7 p.m.

VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. #GoValiants #RollVals