OAKDALE, N.Y.- The Dowling College women’s basketball team came away with a 59-55 win over the University of Bridgeport this evening at Dowling Gymnasium.  The Golden Lions improve to 3-11 on the season, 3-5 in East Coast Conference play.  The Purple Knights drop to 2-14 overall, 0-8 ECC.
 
The Golden Lions broke a 9-9 tie just five minutes into the game with a 15-0 run capped by a three from junior Krstina Surlan for their largest lead of the night at 24-9.   The Purple Knights then held Dowling to just two points over the final eight minutes of play while knocking down the final 12 points of the half to head into the break trailing by just six, 27-21.
 
The game remained close to start the second frame with Bridgeport taking their first lead since the opening minutes in the first half with a bucket from Casey Bray with 16:28 on the clock, 30-29.  Junior Jessica Kalbfleisch put the Golden Lions back on top second later sinking both her free throws.  Both sides exchanged baskets through the middle of the half until UB’s Shannon Holt knocked down back to back jumpers followed by a bucket from Tiara Aziz gave the Purple Knights a slight 50-49 lead with just under five minutes left to play.  Both sides traded leads over the next two possessions, but two more free throws from Kalbfleisch put Dowling ahead 54-53 with 1:55 on the clock an the Golden Lions held on down the stretch for the 59-55 win. 
 
Surlan went 3 for 3 from long range, 7 of 13 from the field, for a game high 20 points.  Seniors Nicole Caggiano and Christine Verrelle finished in double figures with 16 and 14 points respectively.
 
Bridgeport was paced by Aziz with 13 points with Holt pitching in with a double double of 10 points and 17 rebounds.
 
The Golden Lions travel to take on Queens College Thursday, January 22^nd.  Game time is set for 7:30 PM.