Walsh drained seven three-pointers to lead the Skyhawks with 21 points today. (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard)

Walsh drains seven three-pointers for 21 points, while Martin nears triple-double

EASTON, Mass. (January 1, 2018) – Stonehill College, receiving votes in both NCAA Division II national polls and ranked No. 4 in the most recent D2SIDA East Region poll, rang in the New Year with a 77-59 triumph over Roberts Wesleyan College in non-conference women's basketball action on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium this afternoon.

Senior guard Courtney Walsh (Windham, New Hampshire/Central Catholic) poured in 7-of-15 three-pointers for 21 points to lead Stonehill, including 4-for-8 in the first half for 12 points, to go with two rebounds. Classmate Kelly Martin (Scituate, Massachusetts/Scituate) came within a rebound of her first career triple-double, scoring 15 of her 17 points in the second half, to go with 11 assists for her third double-double of the year (fifth career). She added nine rebounds and a blocked shot as she made 6-of-11 shots from the floor, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. It marks her second double-double of the season and fourth career on points and assists.

Senior Samantha Hyslip (Westford, Massachusetts/Westford Academy) rounded out Stonehill's double-figure scorers with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. Classmate Elizabeth Grip (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts/Shrewsbury) chipped in with nine points, six boards and four blocked shots for the Skyhawks.

Martin was posted her fifth career double-double and was just a rebound shy of her first triple-double with 17 points and 11 assists today. (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard)

Senior Lucy Covley (Fairport, New York/Penfield) and sophomore Emily Miller (Buffalo, New York/Christian Central Academy) combined for 28 points with 14 points apiece to lead Roberts Wesleyan. Covley made 4-of-10 three-pointers for the afternoon to go with eight rebounds and two assists, while Miller added six boards and five blocked shots. Freshman Kyla Covington (Fort Wayne, Indiana/Snider) chipped in with seven points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Redhawks.

Stonehill outscored Roberts Wesleyan 16-5 over the final seven minutes of the second quarter to turn a six-point deficit (25-19) into a five-point halftime lead (35-30). Sophomore Grace Carter (Arlington, Massachusetts/Arlington), making her first career start this afternoon, sparked the run with a three-pointer, while Hyslip and sophomore Gabrielle Reuter (Plymouth, Massachusetts/Lawrence Academy) each netted four points during that stretch.

Stonehill built on that momentum with a third quarter surge behind 55.6-percent shooting (6-for-15) in the frame, including 2-for-3 from three-point range, while limiting Roberts Wesleyan to 29.4% (5-17), including 1-for-8 from deep. The Skyhawks scored the first 12 points of the second half to open a 17-point lead (47-30) after a Martin three-pointer three minutes in. Stonehill's lead peaked at 19 twice in the quarter, before carrying a 16-point edge (62-46) into the fourth.

Stonehill started quick again, opening a 21-point gap (69-48) behind seven-straight points by Martin with seven minutes to play. Roberts Wesleyan would not threaten the rest of the way, with the Skyhawks opening a game-high 23-point lead (76-53) following a jumper by freshman Madison Seymour (Glastonbury, Connecticut/Glastonbury) with three-minutes left.

Stonehill (10-2, 6-1 NE10) is right back in action on Wednesday, when it returns to Northeast-10 Conference play against American International College at Merkert Gym at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at stonehillskyhawks.com. Roberts Wesleyan (9-5, 3-1 ECC) hosts Daemen College next Saturday at 2 p.m.

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