Box Score SPARKHILL, N.Y. - Despite a double-double performance from junior
Jackie Beathea (Annandale, Va.), the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team saw its six-game winning streak come to a close in a 63-61 defeat to Saint Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday afternoon at Aquinas Hall.
Southern Conn. was led offensively by Beathea who finished off the afternoon with a team-high 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting from floor as well as totaled 14 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Senior
Sydni Lester (Teaneck, N.J.) chipped in with eight points, five rebounds, five steals and an assist. Senior
Mariah Hankton (Upper Marlboro, Md.) and sophomore
Taylor McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.) led the Owls with three assists each.
It was a slow start for both teams as Southern Conn. and Saint Thomas Aquinas were tied at 4-all just six minutes into the first half. Saint Thomas Aquinas was able to find its rhythm taking an 11-4 led over the Owls following a 7-0 run.
Shortly after, a layup from
Maria Weselyj (Marlborough, Conn.) sparked an Owls' 6-0 run to bring the score to within one, 11-10, with 9:21 left in the first. Saint Thomas Aquinas continued to keep its lead over the Owls to above five with less than a minute remaining.
After a made layup from Hankton and Spartans' foul, Hankton made the free throw to complete the three-point sending the Owls into the locker room trailing the hosts 33-30.
Saint Thomas Aquinas opened the second half on a 12-7 run to extend its lead six, 45-37, before the Owls came back to bring the score to within one, 45-44, after a made layup from Beathea with 11:46 to play.
As the clock continued to wind down, Southern Conn. kept the score to within reaching distance until another made layup from Beathea tied the game at 60-60 with 2:28 left. However, Saint Thomas Aquinas finished strong and snapped the Owls' six game winning streak, 63-61.
Next up, the Owls head cross-town to Charger Gymnasium to take on the Univ. of New Haven on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
