Jarmolinski posts double-double as Eagles fall to FDU in opener, Da Silva honored at halftime

Posted on November 16, 2011

MORRISTOWN, N.J --  Saint Elizabeth senior captain Sabrina Jarmolinski  notched a double-double in the72-61 loss against neighboring Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in women’s basketball action on Tuesday evening. 

Saint Elizabeth took the 9-3 lead within the first five minutes of the game after Jade Wilson hit a three pointer and jump shot.  FDU started put pressure on the point guards and brought back the lead within two.  Fighting for points, both teams rallied back and forth until FDU went on an 18-point run, keeping the Eagles from scoring for nearly six minutes.  Saint Elizabeth only scored two points in the remaining minute, leaving the score 36–19 at the half.

During halftime Saint Elizabeth honored alumna Diane Da Silva for being selected in the top 30 for the NCAA Woman of the Year award.  Da Silva was a former tri-sport athlete and basketball guru.  In 2010-2011, she was ranked 12^th in the NCAA Division III for her assists per game and second in the North Eastern Athletic Conference.  The College held a ceremony that included her former coaches, family and administration.  The College framed her basketball jersey as a token of appreciation for her contributions to Saint Elizabeth.

The Screaming Eagles caught their second wind in the second half, chipping away at the deficit.  Jarmolinski started the half with four made free throws and a jump shot within the first four minutes.  O’Dell’s hustle turned the game around at the 5:58 mark, where she had a nice pass to Valerie Lasko for a jump shot and then scored two more layups after grabbing defensive boards.  The Eagles were still down 49-66.  After a steal by O’Dell, Jarmolinski made a lay-up with the score 52-68.  At the three minute mark, Cheyenne Grant hit a big 3-pointer and then again at the 1:27 mark, leaving the score 61-68.  Within the last seven seconds, FDU made two final free throws, ending the game with a final score of 72-61.

Jarmolinski had a game-high of 22 points and 14 rebounds.  She went 10-10 on the free throw line.  O’Dell’s hustle earned her eight boards, four steals, four assists and 11 points.  Grant finished the game with 11 total points.   

The Eagles face Cedar Crest on Thursday in Allentown, Pa. at 7pm.