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Sophomore sharpshooter Megan Methven was 5-for-7 from the field, including 4-for-6 from three point land to collect her 15 points. |
Manchester, N.H. - The combination of freshman Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.) and junior Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.) outscored Southern New Hampshire 21-14 in the first half as Stonehill opened up a first half lead as big as 30 points before taking a 87-50 win in their Northeast-10 Conference opener at the Southern New Hampshire Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening.
Five different Skyhawks reached double figures for the game, led by McWhirter, Tighe and Megan Methven (Corning, N.Y.) who all scored 15 points. Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.) recorded her second straight double-double and the ninth of her career with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Erin Gray (Clifton Park, N.Y.) reached double figures for the first time in her brief career with 11 points.
Stonehill opened the game scorching, using a 24-6 run to build its initial lead but it maintained its advantage by forcing 27 turnovers and holding the Penmen to 30 percent shooting, including a 2-for-15 performance from behind the arc.
In turn, the Skyhawks shot 60 percent from the floor including a season-high 66 percent from international waters.
After opening the second half ahead 43-14, Stonehill built its lead to as many as 42 at 68-26 on a long three pointer by Methven, who connected on four of her six attempts from long range.
The Skyhawks, led by Tighe and Simonds controlled the interior, outscoring the Penmen 40-22 in the paint, while McWhirter and Gray helped put the bench margin at 37-19.
With Erika Stupinski (Topsham, Maine) as the catalyst (season-high 11 assists) Stonehill had 25 assists on their 33 baskets.
Sarah Tucker was the lone Southern New Hampshire player in double figures with a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds.
Now 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in Northeast-10 action, Stonehill returns to the court on Saturday for a non-league matchup with Caldwell. The tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.