BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Despite a pair of double-doubles from Kylie Grant and Anabela Jakelic, the Pratt Institute women's basketball team fell 69-38 to Medgar Evers College in the semifinals of the 2023 Dr. Betty Shabazz Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Jakelic turned in her second collegiate double-double with 13 points and a game- and career-high 18 rebounds. Grant scored a team-leading 17 points with 13 rebounds and four assists. Almundena Valenzuela added eight points.
An injury during warmups prompted Pratt to play down a woman for the entire contest. Medgar Evers (2-2) raced ahead, 8-3, before Grant scored seven straight points to give Pratt their lone lead of the game, but the Cougars closed out the quarter on an 11-0 spurt for a 19-10 edge.
After falling behind briefly by 11, Pratt maintained a single-digit deficit and continued to chip away pulling within two, 25-23, with two minutes left in the half, but another Cougar late surge to close the period put the Cannoneers behind 33-25 at the break.
Pratt couldn't overcome their disadvantage in the second half mustering just 13 points and the hosts pulled away to clinch a spot in the final against the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Pratt will return to the hardwood on Tuesday, November 28 hosting Baruch College at the ARC for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
