Collins Scores 28 Points, Methven Adds 16 Points And Four Three Pointers As 10th-Ranked Women's Basketball Drops 80-69 Northeast-10 Decision To Franklin Pierce

January 20, 2007

STONEHILL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Merkert Gymnasium, Easton, Mass.

FINAL: FRANKLIN PIERCE 80, STONEHILL 69

EASTON, Mass.-- Freshman Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, Eng.) notched a double-double effort of 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead four players in double figures as Franklin Pierce posted an 80-69 Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball victory over 10th-ranked Stonehill Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium.

The visiting Ravens (14-5, 10-4 Northeast-10) eked out a one-point edge at the break (37-36) before the host Skyhawks (15-4, 10-4 Northeast-10) scored the first two buckets after intermission to grab a 40-39 advantage. Franklin Pierce then used a 9-2 run over a six-minute stretch to take a six-point cushion with 13:28 remaining on a three-pointer by junior Josie Lidke (Chaska, Minn.), and after Stonehill climbed back to within three on a three-pointer by senior Alisha Collins (Port Chester, N.Y.), the Ravens went on a 10-2 spurt over a 2:36 stretch to take an 11-point edge (58-47) with 10:29 to play. Franklin Pierce pushed its advantage to as much as 13 points before the Skyhawks used a 16-4 run over a 3:41 stretch to closed its deficit to one (70-69) on a conventional three-point play by Collins with 2:28 remaining, and Stonehill had a chance to take the lead on the ensuing possession before the Ravens scored the game's final 10 points, including four free throws by Johannah Leedham and two more by sophomore Jennifer Leedham (Ellesmere Port, Eng.) to notch their first-ever triumph at Merkert Gymnasium and complete their first regular season series sweep of the Skyhawks.

Senior Nicola Dalton (Danbury, Conn.) added 15 points in the win for Franklin Pierce, which also received 13 points and five steals from Jennifer Leedham as well as 12 points from junior Stephanie Bergeron (Pointe Claire, Que.). The Ravens shot 54 percent from the field overall and held a 23-7 scoring advantage at the foul line in posting just their third win in 17 series meetings between the two schools.

Collins led all scorers with a game-high 28 points (two shy of her career-high) in the setback for Stonehill, which also received 16 points from freshman Megan Methven (Corning, N.Y.) as well as 10 points and five steals from senior Tiffany Huggins (Stoughton, Mass.). Senior Caitlin Kennedy (Baldwin, N.Y.) grabbed eight rebounds for the hosts, who also received six points and six assists from senior Kim Morast (Bridgewater, Mass.) as the Skyhawks shot 46 percent from the floor and held a 30-26 rebounding edge but were hurt by 26 turnovers for the contest.

Stonehill travels to New Haven, Conn. on Tuesday evening to take on fourth-ranked Southern Connecticut in a Northeast-10 outing that tips-off at 5:30 p.m., while Franklin Pierce hosts Assumption in a Northeast-10 match-up on Tuesday evening in Rindge, N.H. that also begins at 5:30 p.m.