Box Score NEW HAVEN, Conn. – For the third-straight game senior guard
Mariah Hankton (Upper Marlboro, Md.) led the Owls in scoring, 19 points and eight rebounds, as the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team defeated Franklin Pierce University, 71-63, in a Northeast-10 Conference clash Saturday afternoon at Moore Field House.
With the win, the Owls improve to 11-9 overall and 8-4 in the Northeast-10 Conference while Franklin Pierce drops to 10-5 overall and 8-4 in conference play.
Along with Hankton, sophomore
Taylor McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.) and freshman
Chandler Williams (Chepachet, R.I.) scored in double-figures for the hosts, 12 and 11 points, respectively. Junior
Danielle Powell (Middletown, N.Y.) led the Owls defense with two blocks and four defensive rebounds.
For the Ravens, Kara Charette led the team with 18 points and three rebounds while Jessica Hurd and Dyamond Gardner chipped in with 13 points each.
It was all Southern Connecticut in the first half as the Owls opened the game with a 16-6 lead over the Ravens just six minutes in. It wasn't long after Franklin Pierce brought the score to within two, 16-14, but a 9-2 run by the Owls pushed their lead to nine, 25-16.
With less than six minutes to go in the half, Franklin Pierce threatened the Owls again bringing the score to within three, 27-24, following a three-pointer from Jemma Thacker. But, it was Southern Connecticut who finished the half on a 10-7 run and extending its lead to six, 37-31, heading into the locker room.
It was a different story in the second half as Franklin Pierce recorded its first lead of the game, 44-43, after a layup from Gardner at the 15:02 mark. Southern Connecticut regained the lead, but the Ravens tied the game for the second time, 48-48. Following a three-pointer from Williams, Southern Connecticut maintained its lead for the remainder of the half and secured the crucial Northeast-10 Conference victory over Franklin Pierce, 71-63.
The Owls return to Moore Field House as the team takes on Merrimack College in a Northeast-10 Conference clash. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
