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)