Box Score

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Despite a season-high 17-point effort from junior Nicole Grossbard (Pearl River, N.Y.), the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team dropped a tough, 61-57, Northeast-10 Conference game to Pace University Wednesday evening at the Goldstein Fitness Center.
 
Junior forward Danielle Powell (Middetown, N.Y.) also reached double-digits for the Owls with 11 points as well as tallied six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal. Junior Jackie Beathea (Annandale, Va.) and sophomore Taylor McLaughlin rounded out the Owls' double-digit scorers with 10 points, respectively. Beathea also recorded her 14th double-double of the year, 10 points and 14 rebounds.
 
Southern Conn. built up an early 6-0 lead over the hosts just five minutes into the first half. Not long after, Margo Hackett gave Pace its first lead of the game, 9-8, after a three-pointer at the 13:23 mark. Over the next four minutes of play, Southern Conn. managed to regain its lead, 13-9, before Pace brought the score to within one, 15-14. The Owls' lead did not last long as the Setters built up a seven-point lead, 21-16, off a 7-1 run.
 
The Owls found themselves within four, 26-22, after a three-pointer from Grossbard, but Pace answered right back extending its lead to seven, 29-22, with 16 seconds to play in the first. Following a Pace foul, Powell was sent to the line where she made both baskets to bring the score to 29-24 heading into halftime.
 
Despite only shooting 32.1 percent from the field, Southern Conn. managed to hold a 14-6 edge over the Setters in points in the paint as well as tallied six points off Pace's six turnovers.
 
It was a slow start for both teams in the second as Pace broke the silence 1:10 in. Soon after, Southern Conn. brought the score to within one, 31-30, after a 6-0 run sparked by a jumper from Maria Weselyj (Marlborough, Conn.). Similar to the first half, Pace grabbed another seven-point lead over the visitors, 45-38, before a deep three-pointer from McLaughlin brought the score to within four, 45-41, with 8:19 remaining.
 
With the score 51-44, in favor of the Setters, Grossbard hit a deep three-pointer from the corner and Syndi Lester (Teaneck, N.J.) hit both free throws to bring the score within two, 51-49. 

In the final two minutes of play, Pace continued to keep their lead alive as a three from Christina Rubin extended its lead to nine, 58-49. However, Grossbard kept the score within reach, 58-54, with back-to-back baskets with 1:07 left to play. However, it wasn't enough as the Setters sealed the deal, 61-57. 
 
The Owls are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 21 as they welcome the College of Saint Rose to Moore Field House for a Northeast-10 Conference showdown. Prior to the 1:30 tip-off, SCSU will host Senior Day to celebrate its two seniors – Mariah Hankton and Sydni Lester.