First Half Flurry Lifts Stonehill Past Franklin Pierce, 81-67


Senior Mary Louise Dixon posted 23 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals to lead Stonehill to a big win tonight. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds)

Skyhawks clinch first round bye for upcoming NE-10 Tournament

BROCKTON ENTERPRISE: "Stonehill women's basketball team defeats Franklin Pierce"

EASTON, Mass. (February 19, 2014) – Stonehill College, receiving votes in this week's USA TODAY Sports Division II poll, shot over 63-percent from the field and had no turnovers in the first half to open a 24 point halftime lead on its way to an 81-67 victory over Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action and clinched a first round bye for the upcoming NE-10 Tournament at Merkert Gymnasium tonight.

Seniors Mary Louse Dixon (Wellesley, Mass./Wellesley) and Asia Ewing (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) led the way for Stonehill which featured four players in double figures. Dixon scored 14 of her game-high 23 points in the first half as she finished shooting 9-of-14 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, while converting both free-throw attempts and adding eight assists, six rebounds and two steals with just two turnovers. Ewing scored 13 of her season-best 16 points in the opening frame to go with a team-high nine rebounds and three blocked shots, shooting 6-for-9 from the field, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc for the night.

Sophomore Shannon Brown (Las Vegas, Nev./Centennial) contributed 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, connecting on 1-of-2 from long distance and all four free-throw attempts, while adding four rebounds. Sophomore Paige Marshall (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) chipped in ten points and three boards, while junior Tori Faieta (Lynn, Mass./Saint Mary's) pulled down seven rebounds and blocked three shots.

Stonehill finished shooting 50.8-percent (31-for-61) from the field, including a blistering 63.6% (21-33) in the first half in which the Skyhawks didn't turn the ball over once and posted a 19-0 blitz in points off turnovers for the frame on their way to a 24 point (52-28) halftime lead. Stonehill buried 6-of-13 (46.2%) three-pointers in the first half and finished shooting 40% (8-20) from long distance overall while converting 11-of-15 (73.3%) free-throws for the contest. Stonehill's bench also held a 24-12 scoring advantage over the Franklin Pierce reserves. The Ravens shot 42.4% (25-for-59) on the night, including 5-for-14 (35.7%) from beyond the arc, while converting 12-of-17 (70.6%) free-throws and finished with a 34-33 rebounding edge.


Senior Asia Ewing posted season-highs of 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench tonight. (PHOTO BY Emily Reynolds)

Sophomore Dyamond Gardner (Cambridge, Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin) posted a double-double to lead the way for Franklin Pierce with 16 points and a game-high ten rebounds with three assists, three steals and two blocked shots, shooting 6-for-11 from the field, including 2-for-4 from three-point range, while converting both free-throw attempts. Sophomore Kara Charette (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) also netted 16 points on 8-of-16 shooting with five rebounds (four offensive), two assists, a blocked shot and steal. Senior Brittany Martelle (Brookfield, Conn./Brookfield) chipped in seven points, six rebounds and four assists.

Stonehill never trailed on the night, racing out to an 11 point lead (16-5) after a Ewing layup six minutes into the game. Dixon scored six points during that stretch, posting a three point play and canning a three-ball. Charette scored a layup at the other end, but Stonehill kept surging as it extended its lead to 22 (31-9) after a Ewing three approaching the midway point of the half. The Skyhawks stretched the lead to 26 (41-15) with a Pelletier three with 7:14 left in the half before peaking at 27 (47-20) on a Pelletier jumper with 3:25 remaining.

Stonehill carried the 24 point (52-28) lead into the intermission before reclaiming its 26 point cushion (56-30) after a Dixon jumper 1:20 into the second half. Franklin Pierce wouldn't go down quietly, closing to within 11 (63-52) on a three-pointer from freshman Dana Campbell (Merrick, N.Y./St. Dominic) midway through the half. The Ravens cut the lead to ten (71-61) with 5:44 to play after back to back baskets from Gardner and were back within nine (72-63) following another Gardner hoop with 4:54 to go, but would get no closer.

Marshall scored two straight hoops to push the lead back to 13 (76-63) with 4:08 on the clock that sparked nine straight Stonehill points and an 18 point margin (81-63) with 2:06 to go that clinched the win.

Stonehill (17-6, 14-5 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it visits top-ranked and rival Bentley University for an NE-10 matchup in Waltham, Mass., at 1:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return home next Tuesday, February 25, to close out the regular season against Saint Anselm College on Senior Night at 5:30 p.m. Franklin Pierce (14-10, 11-8 NE-10) hosts Merrimack College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks mobile app on iTunes and the Android Market.

Postgame Interviews