Box Score

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Shooting woes plagued the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team on Wednesday night, as the Owls dropped a 62-51 final to Saint Anselm College at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium. With the loss, the Owls descended to 9-8, 6-6 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Hawks improved to 7-10, 4-8 in the league.

Behind 58 percent shooting from the field, the Hawks raced out to an early lead in the opening stanza. Morgan Frame recorded nine points going 4-of-5 from the floor, while Erin Higgins chipped in with eight points for the Hawks. Senior Jacqueline Johannes (Southbury, Conn.) led the Owls with six points, but Southern trailed by six at halftime, 30-24.

After the intermission, the teams exchanged baskets for much of the second half. The Owls managed to cut their deficit to seven points at the 6:25 mark, but struggled to string baskets together. The Hawks closed out the game connecting on 12-of-18 free-throw attempts, snapping a three-game skid for the hosting Hawks.

Senior Allyson Smith (East Hampton, Conn.) and junior Shelley Pierson (Watervliet, N.Y.) each registered 11 points to lead the way for the Owls. LaTisha Hatcher (Detroit, Mich.) added nine points and five rebounds, while Johannes and Ashley O'Dell (Lincoln, R.I.) each chimed in with eight points.

Southern finished 19-52 (36%) from the floor, including 1-11 (9%) from behind the three-point line in the contest. In addition, Saint Anselm controlled the boards (38-30) and forced 18 turnovers that resulted in 20 points for the Hawks.

The Owls return to action on Jan. 23 with a home game against Southern New Hampshire. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Moore Field House.