The College of Staten Island shot out to a big lead early and never looked back, scoring an 88-53 winner over St. Joseph's College (BK) in the season opener for both teams at The Hill Center in Brooklyn this evening.  Five Dolphins scored in double figures, led by senior Christina Pasaturo's 19-point, 9-rebound, performance.

The Dolphins  did their damage in the first quarter, blowing open an early 7-7 stalemate with a numbing 23-2 run over 6:40 to help give the visitors a 30-10 lead at the end of a stanza.  The run featured six points apiece from Pasaturo and senior Victoria Crea, and the season's first points from Diana Todaro, a transfer from Kean University.  Along the way Angelique Price also connected on a pair of buckets, and a taut Dolphins defense forced the Bears into 1-for-7 shooting with a whopping 10 turnovers over the final seven minutes of the first chapter.

Senior Samantha Flecker scored a three-point play with a layup and free-throw, then scored one the easy way from beyond the arc, while Jacquelyn Cali added a bucket to  stake the Dolphins to a 22-point lead in the second quarter before entering halftime with a 47-30 edge.  In the third stanza, it was a 14-0 run that gave CSI a mammoth, 66-35 edge.  Allowing just nine fourth-quarter points, CSI extended to as many as 37, before settling for the lopsided final.

All five Dolphins' starters finished in double-figures.  Junior Cali was next in line with 16 points on 4-6 shooting from beyond the arc, while Flecker notched 15 points and seven rebounds.  Angelique Price and Crea each tallied 10.  SJC's Victoria Porcasi led all with 21 points on 6-15 shooting, while Lauren Quesada tallied a game-high 9 rebounds.

CSI forced 32 turnovers, out-rebounding SJC, 49-46 as well.  Thanks to 23 offensive rebounds the Dolphins enjoyed a 78-50 edge in shots taken, and a healthy 24-4 edge in second chance points.  The win also improved the Dolphins to 18-1 all-time against the Bears, winning their fifth straight in the annual series. 

CSI will next be in action on Saturday for their home opener against the College of New Rochelle at 2pm at the Sports & Recreation Center.