Sophomore Asia Ewing netted a career-high 22 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Skyhawks to victory tonight. (PHOTO BY Bert Lane)

Ewing nets career-high 22 points to lead four Skyhawks in double figures

Sophomore forward Asia Ewing (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) led four Stonehill players in double figures with a career-high 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field to go with eight rebounds and five assists. Freshman Amy Pelletier (Beverly, Mass./Bishop Fenwick) added 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-for-6 from three-point range, while classmate Tori Faieta (Lynn, Mass./Saint Mary's) contributed 13 points, on 6-of-8 shooting, eight rebounds, four blocked shots and three assists. Senior Tania Williams (South Setauket, N.Y./Ward-Melville) chipped in ten points and six rebounds.

Adelphi was led by a pair of double-double efforts by sophomore Jessica Kitrys (Parlin, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) and freshman Kelly Mannix (Barrington, R.I./Barrington). Kitrys totaled 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and a game-high 13 rebounds (six offensive) with two steals, while Mannix added ten points and ten boards. Sophomore Sade Jackson (Hackensack, N.J./Aquinas) posted 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots. Senior Amanda Campusano (Bronx, N.Y./Dewitt Clinton) chipped in 12 points, three boards, three assists and two steals.

Freshman Amy Pelletier made 4-of-6 three-pointers for 16 points. (PHOTO BY Bert Lane)

Stonehill shot 50.8-percent (33-for-65) from the field, including 51.6% (16-31) in the second half, converting 5-of-10 (50%) three-pointers. The Skyhawks posted a 39-36 rebounding advantage to aid an 11-5 edge in second chance points. Adelphi finished shooting 41% (25-for-61) from the field, including 8-for-30 (26.7%) in the opening half, while hitting 7-of-24 (29.2%) three-pointers.

Stonehill never trailed, staking out a seven point lead (9-2) after a Ewing layup 2:42 into the game. Faieta had four points and Pelletier drilled a three-pointer during the opening run as well. The Skyhawks stretched the lead to eight (13-5) with a jumper from senior Priscilla Dodoo (Worcester, Mass./Burncoat) five minutes into the frame, before Adelphi closed within two (15-13) on a Campusano three with 10:17 remaining.

A 14-3 Stonehill run pushed the lead to 13 points (29-16) with 5:06 left in the half after two-straight baskets from Ewing, who had six points in all during that stretch. Dodoo scored a layup to extend the Skyhawks lead to 15 (34-19) with 1:37 to play before the guests settled for a 13 point (36-23) lead at the break.

Adelphi was within 11 (40-29) after a layup by Kitrys two and a half minutes into the second half, but Stonehill held the lead in double figures and extended it to 17 (48-31) after a Pelletier three with 14:31 remaining. The Skyhawks pushed the lead to a game-high 21 points (58-37) after a Ewing basket midway through the half. Adelphi made a last ditch rally attempt, drawing within ten (66-56) following a Mannix three with 5:12 to play, but would get no closer.

Stonehill (9-9, 5-9 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Pace University, among teams receiving votes in this week's USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II poll, at 1:30 p.m. Former Stonehill standout Nancy Smith will be formally inducted into the Northeast-10 Hall of Fame during a ceremony at halftime. Adelphi (6-12, 4-10 NE-10) visits Saint Anselm College on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.