OAKDALE, N.Y.-  The Dowling College women’s basketball team dropped a 77-56 decision to the New York Institute of Technology this evening at Dowling Gymnasium.  The Golden Lions slide to 2-7 on the season, 2-2 in East Cost Conference play.  The Bears improve to 7-1 overall, 2-0 in ECC action.
 
Senior Nicole Caggiano led the Golden Lions with 17 points and adding four boards.  Senior Christine Verrelle finished in double figures with 14 points and recorded four assists. 
 
The Bears were led by a 30 point performance by Shanice Allen who knocked down 12 of 16 from the field.  Savannah Donarski came off the bench and provided 11 points with Nina Vukosavljevic and Shannon Duer recording 10 points apiece.  ki
 
After trailing by five, 32-27, at the half, the Golden Lions opened the second frame with four of the first six points cutting the NYIT lead to three, 34-31.  But the Bears went on an 11-2 streak to push their advantage into double digits, 45-33.  Two minutes later, five unanswered points from Caggiano moved the deficit to nine, 49-40, but Allen quickly responded with a steal and a quick layup putting NYIT up 51-40 midway through the half.   The Bears remained in control building their lead to as many as 22, 67-45, with just over five minutes on the clock.  Verrelle dropped in a three-pointer with 2:09 remaining to bring the Golden Lions to within 17, but that would be as close as they would get as NYIT came away with the 77-56 win,
 
The Bears finished shooting 43.9% from the field as the Golden Lions were held to just 32.2%.
 
The Golden Lions hit the road as they travel to face Chestnut Hill College Friday, December 19^th at 2:00 PM.