Box Score

SPARKILL, N.Y. - Freshman Taylor McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.) made her college debut with a double-double but the Southern Connecticut State University (0-1) women's basketball team dropped its season opener today, losing to Saint Thomas Aquinas (1-0), 67-62.

The game was tied at eight apiece early, but the Owls would take the lead after an 8-0 run. SCSU wouldn't lose its lead for the remainder of the first half, they were ahead by as many as nine points.

A scoring drought during the last four minutes of the half was broken up by a made free throw from McLaughlin that gave the Owls a 30-23 lead with 2:23 left. However, tthe Spartans answered with two free throws of their own at the end of the half to make the score 32-27 going into the break.

McLaughlin came out ready to go in the second half, as she had two buckets in the first minute and half alone. The Spartans were able to pull within four but the Owls came right back with a made free throw from Jackie Beathea and a layup from Danielle Powell. Next the Owls went on a 7-0 run and got the score up to 45-34. The Owls kept the lead most of the second half but were never able to pull away.

Allyson Brennan was able to tie it up for STAAC at 55 with 5:58 remaining in the contest, followed by four straight points from Briana Cook and Sabrina Eggink to go ahead and make the score 59-55. The Owls tried to cut the lead back down with free throws but were not successful. A couple a free throws of their own from Brennan sealed the deal for the Spartans and would go on to win by a final score of 67-62.

Brennan would lead all scorers with 23 points and added 12 rebounds. Her teammate, Eggink, ended with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The Owls were held to only 34 percent shooting from the field and shot 1-8 from three point range.

McLaughlin posted 20 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. Maria Weselyj (Malborough, Conn.) contributed 13 points in her college debut. Sophomore forward Jackie Beathea (Annandale, Va.) chipped in nine points in the loss along with seven points from junior gaurd Sydni Lester (Teaneck, N.J.).

The Owls will be back in action as they open up their home schedule on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. against Concordia.