COLCHESTER, VT. – Southern Connecticut women's basketball defeated Saint Michael's College, 77-65 on Wednesday night. The Owls picked up their third straight victory of the season. Southern improved to an overall record of 3-0 and an NE10 record of 1-0 while Saint Michael's dropped to an overall record of 2-1 and an NE10 record of 0-1.
Delaney Haines recorded a team-best and career-best of 25 points against the Purple Knights. Haines was everywhere for the Owls as she hit 50% from the floor, made a team-best of five three-pointers, dished three assists, grabbed two boards, was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, had a block and a steal.
Katie Williamson followed closely behind with 20 points of her own. Williamson was 100% from the free-throw line, grabbed six boards and led the team with two blocks.
Rheyna Steinauer had 15 points and had 11 rebounds, marking her fourth double-double of her career.
Jillian Martin had a team-best of eight assists and scored seven points.
Hope Fox had five rebounds, four points and three assists.
Ally Sentance led the team with five steals, while grabbing three rebounds and scoring two points.
The Owls, as a team, shot 12-14 from the free-throw line, which ranks them first in the Northeast-10 Conference for free-throw percentage.
In the first quarter, Southern started out with an early 6-0 run, with made baskets by Williamson and Fox. After a few minutes, Saint Michael's started their scoring, however, the Owls capitalized on their opportunities, to extend their lead to 26-14 to end the quarter.
In the second quarter, the Purple Knights started their comeback as they tried to cut the Owls' lead down. It was a good jumper by Haines, three-pointer by Martin and a three-pointer by Steinauer that put Southern into double-digits again with the lead. To finish out the half,
Maya Henry hit two key free-throws, to lead the Owls into halftime with a scoreline of 45-29.
Southern continued what they started in the first half, with points by Steinauer and Haines to keep their lead growing. Saint Michael's put points on the board, as they made efforts to catch up but the Owls consistently hit important shots and played good defense, that kept them in control.
In the fourth quarter, the Purple Knights did their best to make a comeback happen; however, Southern never took their foot off of the pedal as they closed out the game with a 77-65 victory over Saint Michael's.
The Owls will face non-conference opponent, University of Bridgeport on the road on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 5:30 pm. Southern will return home to open Northeast-10 Conference play on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against Southern New Hampshire at 5:30 p.m. at the James Moore Field House.
