Riverdale, NY - The College of Mount Saint Vincent's women's basketball team wrapped up the 2023 calendar year in a major way, as the team propelled past visiting Johnson & Wales University in a 68-55 victory. The Dolphins saw three players reach double figures in the outing, as Kira Villegas, Magan Jackson and Ariella Johnson were driving forces offensively behind CMSV's win. The result also put the Dolphins at 7-2 to close out an impressive first half of the season. 

It wasn't all positives for CMSV early on, as the home team had to initially overcome a five-point hole to kick off the contest. Head coach Maria Nardulli made adjustments on both ends of the floor, resulting in a turn of the tide. The Dolphins would rattle off 19 of the next 24 points scored in the quarter, with Jackson specifically exploding for nine of those points. The Dolphins would carry their success into the second quarter, where they shot nearly 42% from the floor while forcing the Wildcats to miss 11 of their 15 shot attempts. The Dolphins also caused eight turnovers throughout that span as they took a 41-22 lead into halftime. 

To the Wildcats' credit, they crawled back into the contest in the third, where they cut the deficit to single digits. The Dolphins, however, rebounded in the fourth, with Jackson knocking down a pair of three point attempts while both Villegas and sophomore JaKaia Lotz registered points. 

Jackson's 21 points was a team-high, as she continues to impress in her first season in Riverdale. The guard also added five boards, two assists and a block in the win. Villegas was efficient on both ends of the floor, scoring 18 points on eight of 14 shooting while also swiping five steals. Johnson finished with 15 points of her own while Lotz added nine rebounds, six points, two assists and two steals. Anastasia Davis and Julia Angeles combined for 12 boards, grabbing six each. 

The Dolphins will kick off the new year with Skyline Conference action on the road against St. Joseph's University Brooklyn.