Box Score

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team outscored Merrimack College, 42-23, in the second half en route to a 70-51 victory at the Volpe Center on Tuesday night. Senior Allyson Smith (East Hampton, Conn.) led the Owls with 18 points, while junior Logan Lentz (Chambersburg, Pa.) and sophomore Alex Fiola (Fall River, Mass.) each added 12 points.

With the win, Southern improved to 10-9, 7-7 in the Northeast-10 Conference. Merrimack dropped to 7-12, 5-8 in the league.

After falling behind 15-5 through the first five minutes of play, the Owls turned it around behind the hot hand of Allyson Smith. Smith collected eight points on 3-of-7 shooting en route to a 20-6 run over a 10:07 span. The two team's exchanged baskets down the stretch, resulting in a 28-28 tie score at halftime.

After the intermission, a strong defensive effort guided the Owls to a 26-9 run through the first 11:04 of action. Fiola accounted for nine points during that stretch, granting the Owls a 56-39 lead.

Merrimack battled back with a quick spurt, but Southern's 1-3-1 defense was too much for the hosting Warriors. The Owls connected on their free-throws in the closing minutes, leading to a 70-51 victory.

Smith finished with a game-high 18 points going 6-of-13 from the floor and hauled in seven rebounds for the visiting Owls. Lentz and Fiola each scored 12 points and dished out three assists. Shelley Pierson (Watervliet, N.Y.), LaTisha Hatcher (Detroit, Mich.) and Jacqueline Johannes controlled the paint, combining for 24 points and 21 rebounds.

The Owls went 13-of-25 from the field in the second half and forced 12 turnovers.

The Owls return to action on Jan. 30 with a home game against UMass-Lowell. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Moore Field House.