Boxscore

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Jacqueline Johannes (Southbury, Conn.) notched her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds on Sunday afternoon to lead the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team to a 64-46 victory over Pace at Goldstein Fitness Center in the first round of the Northeast-10 Conference Championships. Stephanie Klingele led Pace with 11 points. With the win, SCSU improves to 15-13 on the season and moves on to Tuesday's quarterfinal round, while Pace finishes the season at 11-17.

The Owls would open the game on a 12-5 run over the first 6:21, featuring back-to-back three-pointers from freshman guard Logan Lentz (Chambersburg, Pa.) and senior guard Michelle Martinik (Monroe, Conn.). Later in the half, SCSU would use a quick 5-0 spurt to push the lead to 20-9 with 8:12 remaining on a three-pointer from junior guard Lexi Allen (Southbury, Conn.). The Owls would later close the half on a 13-5 run to take a 34-19 lead into the halftime break.

SCSU senior forward Rochelle Johnson (Norwalk, Conn.) led all scorers with eight points in the opening stanza. Johnson neared a double-double in the first half as she tied for the lead with seven rebounds as well. Martinik added six points and six rebounds over the opening 20 minutes for the Owls.

For Pace, Klingele led the way in the first period with six points. Laura Mooney matched Johnson as she grabbed seven rebounds for the Setters.

Despite not hitting a field goal over the first 7:50 of the second half, SCSU connected on its first nine free throws of the half to extend the lead to 21 points at 45-24 on a three-point play from sophomore forward Sarah Houseknecht (Olean, N.Y.) with 12:10 to play. The play was part of a 12-2 run which pushed the lead as high as 24 points at 50-26 on a Martinik three-pointer with 9:52 to play. The Owls would match the 24-point margin once more down the stretch and went on to a 64-46 victory.

Martinik led all scorers and three Owls in double figures with 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including 4-for-6 from behind the arc. Senior forward Kate Lynch (Rumford, R.I.) and Johannes joined Martinik in double digits with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Johnson led all rebounders with 14 and dished out a game-high four assists, while Johannes completed the double-double with a career-high 11 rebounds.

Klingele and Lisa Welsome tied for the Pace scoring lead with 11 points each. Mooney led the Setters with 10 rebounds.

SCSU shot 19-for-61 (31.1%) from the floor, 7-for-18 (38.9%) from three-point range and 19-for-24 (79.2%) from the free-throw line on the evening.

Pace shot 16-for-61 (26.2%) from the field, 2-for-18 (11.1%) from behind the arc and 12-for-19 (63.2%) from the charity stripe.

With the win, the Owls advance to the quarterfinal round of the Northeast-10 Championships and travel to Stonehill on Tuesday, March 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Merkert Gymnasium in North Easton, Mass.