Purchase, NY - For the second time in program history, the University of Mount Saint Vincent's women's basketball team are Skyline Conference champions. The Dolphins went to Manhattanville College and put together a masterful performance in front of a crowd that sounded like the Peter Jay Sharp Center, as they went on to defeat the Valiants 63-42. The win caps off a terrific season for UMSV; the team not only finished with a 22-6 overall record, but had two instant classic victories in both the first round of the Skyline Conference Championship Tournament, as well as in the semifinal game. 

The 2023-24 Dolphins join the 2014-15 team to be named conference champions. 

UMSV and Manhattanville went back and forth in the early goings, with the game being tied at three different points over the first six minutes of play. The Dolphins would close out the quarter on a 6-0 run, as Kira Villegas, Melanieann Broderick and Ariella Johnson each had two points apiece to have a six point edge after one. 

From there, the Dolphins put on a clinic defensively. The Valiants scored just eight points in the second quarter while taking contested shots for the majority of it. The Dolphins defense was both physical and precise, as Villegas, Johnson, Anastasia Davis and JaKaia Lotz played key roles in their team's success. UMSV found that same success offensively, as the team would shoot 47% from the floor in a 19-point effort. The Dolphins would stay on top by double digits for the remainder of the half, with Johnson specifically shining. Her and-one conversion put the Dolphins up by 15 with 2:19 left in the half, and she would also hit a massive three pointer at the buzzer to make it a 17-point lead at the break. 

The Valiants, however, wouldn't go away without fighting. The hosts were able to climb back and get within a single digit deficit after 19 third quarter points. But head coach Maria Nardulli used the clock in her favor, as her offense slowed the pace down and hit timely shots throughout the fourth. After Manhattanville once again cut it to nine, Lotz knocked down an impressive jumper in the paint before Been would grab a board, head down the other and of the floor and knock down a massive three point attempt to make it a 14-point game. The charity stripe became the team's best friend, with Been going a perfect six-for-six in the fourth to close out the championship victory. 

Been, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, led all scorers with 19 points while also pacing the Dolphins with 10 rebounds. Johnson had another strong outing, adding 18 points on six-of-nine shooting while Magan Jackson finished in double figures as well with 10 points. Villegas chipped in six points with seven rebounds and three assists while Davis pulled down eight rebounds. 

With the victory, the Dolphins clinched the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history. Stay tuned to UMSVAthletics.com to see where the team heads next.