Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team's quest for its third Northeast-10 Conference Championship title was cut short on Sunday afternoon, as the Owls were eliminated in the first round of action at Charger Gymnasium. Senior Jacqueline Johannes (Southbury, Conn.) and Logan Lentz (Chambersburg, Pa.) led the way with 13 points each, but the Southern dropped an 81-65 final to the tournament's ninth seed, New Haven.

With the loss, the Owls concluded their 2009-10 campaign with a record of 13-15, 10-12 in Northeast-10 Conference action.

Junior Nicole Pollard and the Charger's offense raced out to an early lead in this one and never looked back. Pollard tossed in 20 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 8-of-8 from the charity stripe in the first half of play. Coupled with 20 points off of 13 Southern turnovers, New Haven snatched a 42-25 lead at the break.

After the Chargers extended their lead to 24 just minutes into the second half, the Owls put together an offensive burst over the five minutes of action. Camille Fantini (Andover, Mass.), Allyson Smith (East Hampton, Conn.), Johannes and Alex Fiola (Fall River, Mass.) each tallied baskets in a 14-4 run, cutting their deficit to 14 with 12 minutes on the clock.

However, after a 30 second time out from the hosting Chargers, Dominique Stellmacher sparked a 13-4 run over the next four minutes, putting the game out of reach for the visiting Owls. Stellmacher finished with 18 points, 11 coming in the second half of play.

Johannes led the way with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting and seven rebounds in the losing effort. Lentz added 13 points and two assists, Fiola tossed in 10 points, including two from outside the arc. Shelley Pierson (Watervliet, N.Y.) and Fantini chimed in with nine points each and Smith poured in seven points.