RINDGE, N.H. – Southern Connecticut women's basketball fell to Franklin Pierce, 48-43, in a defensive battle on Saturday afternoon. The Owls dropped to an overall record of 16-11 and an NE10 record of 13-8, while the Ravens improved to an overall record of 17-9, and an NE10 record of 12-9.
Makenzie Helms led the team in points for the second-straight game with 18 points. Helms shot 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, grabbed five rebounds, had a team-best of two blocks, two assists and two steals against the Ravens.
Rheyna Steinauer and
Julianna Bonilla both had eight points each. Bonilla shot a team-best 2-for-2 from the three-point line, as she also recorded two rebounds, an assist, and a steal. Steinauer had six rebounds and shot 75% from the free-throw line.
Katie Williamson had six points, a team-best of eight rebounds, a team-best of three assists, a team-best of two blocks and two steals.
Jillian Martin led the team with three steals and
Renza Milner recorded two blocks against Franklin Pierce.
From tip-off, the game proved to be a true, defensive battle between the Owls and Ravens.
Julianna Bonilla made a three-pointer to get Southern Connecticut's scoring started. However, Franklin Pierce scored 12 points to the Owls' 10 points in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter,
Makenzie Helms grabbed three defensive rebounds in the first two minutes of play. In addition, the Owls held the Ravens scoreless in the first four minutes. Franklin Pierce would bounce back and outscore Southern 15-7 and secure a 10-point lead heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, the momentum shifted in favor of the Owls. As they worked hard to cut the Ravens' lead to seven, with key points from Helms, Williamson, Bonilla and Steinauer. Southern Connecticut finished the third quarter with an 8-0 run, as they outscored Franklin Pierce, 16-13, heading into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, Southern Connecticut continued their comeback with a made layup and a three-point play by Helms. Then, a huge steal turned into a three-pointer by Bonilla, which made the score 42-41 in Franklin Pierce's favor with five minutes left to play.
The Ravens would extend their lead again by two points, as the Owls fought to get ahold of the lead.
Rheyna Steinauer made two big free-throws to get the team back within one, with the score being 44-43 in advantage of the Ravens with less than two minutes to play. Despite Southern Connecticut's best efforts, Franklin Pierce finished the game with a five-point lead, to win 48-43.
The Owls return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m. against NE10 opponent, Bentley University in the regular season finale in Waltham, Massachusetts.
