NORTH EASTON, Mass. - Led by senior Taylor McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.), who led all players in scoring, the Southern Connecticut State University women's basketball team claimed a 62-60 victory over Stonehill in the first round of the Northeast 10 Conference Championship.

TEAM RECORDS: SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT (12-16) | STONEHILL (12-14)

QUARTER SCORES: SCSU 20, STONEHILL 12 (END 1) | SCSU 36, STONEHILL 25 (END 2) | SCSU 51, STONEHILL 37 (END 3)

McLaughlin led all players in scoring with 27 points and five rebounds. Junior Chandler Williams (Chepachet, R.I.) recorded 10 points and three rebounds to help the Owls' effort.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Owls jumped out to a quick five-point lead in the first two minutes and continued their dominance throughout the first quarter for a 20-12 lead after 10 minutes. Southern Connecticut extended its lead further in the second frame with sharp shooting to open up an 11-point lead at the half.

Three three-pointers by McLaughlin helped the Owls extend their lead further in the third and the Owls had a 14-point lead going into the final quarter.  The Skyhawks pushed back in the fourth and cut the lead to two with one minute left in the game, but late free throws by Maddie Brown (Lewisville, Texas) and Paige Decker (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) were enough for the Owls to hold off the Skyhawks.

UP NEXT: The Owls go on the road against Adelphi, the top-seed in the Southwest Division, on Sunday at 3 p.m.