Senior guard Kristen McWhirter led the Skyhawks with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists tonight at Le Moyne. (PHOTO BY Bert Lane) |
McWHIRTER leads Skyhawks to road win with 23 points
Senior KRISTEN McWHIRTER (MELVIN VILLAGE, N.H./NEW HAMPTON PREP) led Stonehill with 23 points as she made 7-of-12 shots from the field, including 5-for-9 from three-point range, converting all four free-throw attempts to go with three rebounds and two assists. Junior TANIA WILLIAMS (SOUTH SETAUKET, N.Y./WARD-MELVILLE) posted her first double-double of the season (third career) with 11 points, aided by 7-for-8 shooting from the free-throw line, to go with a career-high 14 rebounds. Freshman MARY LOUISE DIXON (WELLESLEY, MASS./WELLESLEY) contributed nine points, seven assists, three boards and two steals, while junior PRISCILLA DODOO (WORCESTER, MASS./WORCESTER BURNCOAT) chipped in eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
Grad student COURTNEY CORYEA (MOOERS FORKS, N.Y./NORTHEAST CLINTON) led the way for Le Moyne with a game-high 24 points, shooting 10-for-13 from the field and converting 4-of-5 free-throw attempts, to go with seven rebounds. Sophomore EMILY BAYLY (SCHENECTADY, N.Y./NISKAYUNA) added 14 points, shooting 5-for-6 from the field, including both three-point attempts and two free-throw shots. Junior KATIE HART (CONSTANTIA, N.Y./CENTRAL SQUARE) chipped in with seven points and eight rebounds.
Stonehill finished shooting 43.9-percent (25-for-57) from the field, including 50% (15-30) in the first half to build an 18 point (42-24) halftime lead, and converted 82.4% (14-17) of its free-throw attempts on the night. The Skyhawks got 20 points from the bench, compared to 11 from the hosts. Le Moyne shot 40.4% (23-57) from the field and just 3-for-19 (15.8%) from three-point range. The Dolphins won the rebounding battle, 37-32.
Junior Tania Williams notched her third career double-double with 11 points and a career-best 14 rebounds. (PHOTO BY Richard Orr) |
Stonehill never trailed, running out to an 11 point lead (15-4) after a three point play from DODOO just over six minutes into the contest. A CORYEA jumper pulled Le Moyne within seven (18-11) with 11:11 remaining in the first half, but the Skyhawks answered with a 9-1 run over the next three minutes to stretch the lead out to 15 (27-12) after a layup from sophomore ANNA GRIFFIN (FAIRFAX, VA./W.T. WOODSON) with 8:16 remaining in the frame.
Le Moyne drew back within ten (32-22) after a three-pointer from junior MORGAN ROWLAND (LATHAM, N.Y./SHAKER) with 4:15 left in the half, but Stonehill closed out the half with a 10-2 spurt to carry an 18 point cushion (42-24) into halftime, bookended by three-pointers from McWHIRTER and DODOO. The Skyhawks pushed that lead to a game-high 21 with another McWHIRTER THREE to open the second half.
Le Moyne chipped away and was able to pull within nine (56-47) after two-straight baskets from CORYEA with 6:58 still to play. Stonehill answered and pushed the lead back to 15 (62-47) after a GRIFFIN layup with 3:50 remaining. The Dolphins made one last run, closing with seven (66-59) after layup by sophomore TORIE LEE (FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y./FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS) with 61-seconds to go. However, the Skyhawks drained five of six free-throws down the stretch and the Dolphins missed their last five shots from the field to seal the victory.
Stonehill (13-6, 8-6 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts The College of Saint Rose in Merkert Gymnasium as part of Community Day at 1:30 p.m. Le Moyne (6-12, 3-11 NE-10) travels to Franklin Pierce University on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Editor's Note: the reason this recap is written with student-athlete names in all capital letters is to honor STEVE "MERC" MORRIS, longtime Assumption College Sports Information Director, who passed away Monday night at the age of 60. Steve was a true professional, a mentor, and a friend who will be missed by everyone who knew him. Please take a moment to read Jen Toland's piece on Steve in the Worcester Telegram, here)