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| Sophomore Emily Rousseau scored 14 points and added four assists and four steals in the Skyhawks' 67-53 win over Shepherd. |
McWhirter's Career Day Sparks Season-Opening Win
Easton, Mass. - Sophomore Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.) scored a career-high 19 points to help No. 8 Stonehill collect a season-opening 67-53 win over visiting Shepherd University on Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium in the first day of action in the Skyhawks Classic.
With the win, the Skyhawks extended their winning streak in the month of November to 19 and now are a combined 21-1 over the past five Novembers.
Stonehill raced out to a quick 8-0 lead less than three minutes into the game and then used a smothering defense to keep the Rams at bay.
The Skyhawks held the visitors to 20 percent shooting in the first half and there was a 10 minute stretch where Shepherd was held scoreless. During that span, Stonehill went on a 17-0 scoring run to put the game out of reach.
The Skyhawks forced 27 Shepard turnovers, which they turned into 28 points, and controlled the interior, holding a 36-26 edge in points in the paint.
McWhirter's 13 first half points equaled the output of the Rams who trailed 33-13 going into intermission.
Shepherd outscored the Skyhawks 40-34 in the second half but could convert only 39 percent of its shots in the final 20 minutes. They also struggled from behind the arc, connecting on just two of 15 attempts.
In addition to her 19 points, McWhirter added eight rebounds and six assists (both career highs), while Erin Gray (Clifton Park, N.Y.) added her first career double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds).
Stonehill, which had 18 assists on their 25 baskets, also got excellent production from newcomer Emily Rousseau (Biddeford, Maine) who finished with 14 points, four assists and four steals.
Senior Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.) chipped in with a 13-point, nine-rebound performance and Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.) who fouled out in 21 minutes, added nine points.
Meanwhile for Shepherd, Katie Warehime had a team-high 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Colleen Shumaker registered six points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
The Skyhawks are back in action on Sunday when they host Bloomfield at 3 p.m., while the Rams face Assumption at 1 p.m.