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| Sophomore Kristen McWhirter had 10 points, four rebounds and five assists in the Skyhawks 72-67 win over Southern Connecticut. |
No. 20 Skyhawks Escape With 72-67 Win
New Haven, Conn. - Junior Megan Methven (Corning, N.Y.) came off the bench to score 16 of her team-high 20 points in the second half and lift No. 20 Stonehill to a 72-67, come-from-behind win over host Southern Connecticut at Moore Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls led by as many as 13 in the second half but the Skyhawks chipped away at the advantage and finally took their first lead at 56-55 since the first half following back-to-back three-pointers from Methven and Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.).
Southern Connecticut never had the lead again as the Skyhawks held them to 4-for-14 shooting and forced four turnovers in the final seven and a half minutes.
In the initial moments of the game, Stonehill had trouble with the Owls on the glass, as Jacqueline Johannes and Sara Schicher combined for 16 points and nine rebounds, five of which were offensive in the first half.
The Skyhawks held the lead only briefly in the first half at 23-22 following a pair of free throws by McWhirter but the Owls scored the next six points and eventually took a 35-26 lead into the half.
After committing 34 turnovers in the first meeting this season, Stonehill had only 17 miscues and had 15 assists attached to their 26 baskets.
With Methven leading the way offensively in the second half (5-for-9, 3-for-4 three-pointers in the half), Stonehill shot 52 percent in the frame and 47 percent for the game.
Southern Connecticut, meanwhile, connected on 47 percent of their first half shots but the Skyhawks clamped down and held them to just 39 percent in the final 20 minutes.
Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.) saddled with two early fouls, played just 30 minutes but was still effective, totaling 13 points and seven rebounds. Emily Rousseau (Biddeford, Maine) added 16 points and four assists, while McWhirter, who also had issues with fouls, finished with 10 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Sophomore Amanda Smith (Penacook, N.H.), making just her third start of her career, had career-highs of eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Johannes paced the Owls with 20 points, while Schicher chipped in with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Now 19-5 overall and 14-5 in the Northeast-10, the Skyhawks remain one full game behind Franklin Pierce, who defeated New Haven 86-78 on Saturday as well.
Stonehill will play two of its final three regular season games at home beginning with Wednesday's matchup with Pace.