NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. –The York College women's basketball team put together a strong defensive effort against Berkeley College on Friday night en route to defeating the Knights, 55-49.
 
The Cardinals defense held Berkeley to just 28.6 percent shooting (22-for-77) from the field and 6.3 percent from three-point range (1-for-16). Their defense was particularly stout in the first half, where they held Berkeley to just 19 points.
 
On offense, York (7-11) had three players score in double figures.  Angelika Ruggiano had a team-high 14 points, while Tamika Taylor and Samantha Bond each chipped in 13 points. Taylor and Bond were both efficient from the field, each shooting 50 percent (5-of-10).  Stayce Kay Muirhead pulled down ten rebounds.
 
Berkeley (11-6) was led by Champagne Hazel, who had a game-high 16 points, and by Patricia Patterson, who posted a line of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Cardinals controlled the action for the most of the game.  After trailing in the opening minutes, York would pull ahead and led by as many as 14 points in the first half.
 
York continued to hold a comfortable lead in the second half until the Knights made a late push to tie the game at 45-45 with 4:53 to play.  But York stifled the Berkeley momentum by getting buckets from Shauncia McClendon and Ruggiano on its next two possessions to go back up by four.  They were able to hold off Berkeley the rest of the way.
 
The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday night, with a home game against Brooklyn College. Tip-off is 6 p.m.