Simpson Records 15 Points And Seven Steals In Win

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale women's basketball team used quick hands and quicker feet to blow past Albertus Magnus on Sunday, 67-34, earning Joel E. Smilow '54 head coach Allison Guth her first-career win at Yale and her first as a Division I head coach.

Following a strong performance at Dayton, the Bulldogs (1-1) didn't miss a beat in their home-opener, recording 16 steals and holding the Falcons to 21.7-percent shooting (10-of-46) in the Lee Amphitheater.

Three Bulldogs scored in double-figures, including sophomore guard Tamara Simpson (North Babylon, N.Y.) with game-highs of 15 points and seven steals to lead on both sides of the ball. Senior guard/forward Nyasha Sarju (Seattle, Wash.) and sophomore guard Clara Mokri (Los Angeles, Calif.) each had 12 apiece in the win.

Senior center Emmy Allen (Overland Park, Kan.) had a huge game on the boards, grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds, including seven offensive. Yale grabbed 27 offensive rebounds as a team, outhustling the Falcons with a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points.

In a sloppy game that saw the Elis turn the ball over 21 times, their defense forced 27 turnovers by Albertus. Yale's ability to steal the ball and launch a lightning-quick counterattack proved to be the difference in the game, as the Bulldogs had a 22-2 edge in fast-break points.

Yale had 31 more shot attempts than the Falcons as a team, but shot only nine free throws to the visitor's 26. Albertus was held without a successful three-point attempt in the game and faced a convincing 60 to 35 rebounding deficit, largely in favor of the Bulldogs.

"I was disappointed in the free throw totals. We need to play better defense with our feet," said Guth after the game. "We have a lot to work on before we get back, but I have faith in these guys. They have two days of practice to get ready for a tough stretch with Iona, Fairleigh Dickinson and North Carolina."

Despite a mostly erratic game with turnovers and fouls, the Bulldogs had the rebounding advantage and also passed the ball well, finishing with 20 assists as a team to Albertus' four. Sophomore guard Mary Ann Santucci (Seattle, Wash.) had a game-high six assists.

Simpson, Sarju and Mokri combined for 30 points in the second half, helping the Elis to extend their 21-point halftime lead. Yale shot around 35-percent from the field in both halves.

In the final three quarters of the game, the Bulldogs outscored Albertus 48-32. It was Yale's 19-2 lead after the first quarter that tipped the scales further, as the Falcons did not score a field goal (0-for-11) in the first 10 minutes.

Albertus didn't get its first basket until a jump shot at the 4:21 mark of the second quarter, as the Yale defense made ball-handling very difficult for the Falcons' backcourt. The Bulldogs had seven steals in the first quarter, four by Simpson.

The Elis recorded six fast-break points in the first 2:23 of regulation, earning a 16-0 lead before Albertus scored its first point on a free throw at 3:01. Guard Deja Ward led the Falcons with 12 points in the game. Forward Kelsey Pendagast added 10 points and eight rebounds.

With a win under their belt, the Bulldogs prepare this week for the Hall of Fame Women's Challenge taking place in Chapel Hill, N.C. from Friday to Sunday. Yale will play three games against Iona (Friday at 8 p.m.), Fairleigh Dickinson (Saturday at 5 p.m.) and North Carolina (Sunday at 3 p.m.) in the tournament.

For now though, Yale will enjoy the first win of the season under Guth – who was presented with a game ball by the team as a way to honor her first-career win in New Haven.

"It feels great. The win is all about the team and the staff that prepared them. This was really fun," said Guth. "I'm glad we were able to protect home court. We're all in it for each other and I'm happy for the team."

Filed by Steve Lewis, Yale Sports Publicity