Skyhawks post third-straight NE10 win with balanced effort

Raymond scored all 14 of her team-high point total in the first half, adding eight rebounds. (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix)

EASTON, Mass. (January 16, 2019) – Stonehill College, ranked No. 5 in this week's D2SIDA East Region poll and receiving votes in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II poll, used a balanced offensive effort with four in double-figures to claim a 75-54 triumph over The College of Saint Rose in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium tonight.

Junior Gabrielle Reuter and freshman Kayla Raymond led Stonehill's balanced effort with 14 points apiece. Raymond scored all 14 of her points in the first half, finishing 6-for-11 from the field, to go with eight rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and a steal, while Reuter made 7-of-11 shots in scoring 14 second half points, with three boards. Freshman Isabella Santoro added a season-high 13 points and six rebounds, connecting on 4-of-8 shots from the floor, including her lone three-pointer, in 21 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Jennifer Worden contributed ten points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal, while junior Grace Carter chipped in nine points, four boards and four assists.

Senior Isa Vara de Rey led Saint Rose with 14 points and three rebounds, while classmate Ashley Vanderwall and junior Cameron Graupman each added ten points. Graupman made 2-of-4 shots from the floor, including both three-pointers, converting both free throws, and adding two boards. Junior Takora McIntyre and sophomore Nina Fedullo each pulled down a team-high seven rebounds for the Golden Knights.

Santoro registered season-highs of 13 points and six rebounds off the bench in support for the Skyhawks. (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix)

Stonehill never trailed, holding a six point lead (18-12) after a quarter of play, before connecting on 13-of-18 shots (72.2-percent), including all four three-pointers, to outscore Saint Rose 30-8 in the second and take control of the game. The Skyhawks opened the second quarter with a 13-2 run to open a 17-point margin (31-14) midway through the frame after back to back three-pointers from Carter and freshman Emily Bramanti. Saint Rose got a triple from Vanderwall, but the Skyhawks scored the next 13 points, sparked by five-straight points from Santoro and capped by back-to-back baskets from Raymond to open a 27-point lead (44-17) with a minute remaining.

Stonehill took a 28-point lead (48-20) into halftime after a layup from senior Maty Diabate at the horn. Reuter scored the Skyhawks first two baskets of the second half to stretch their lead to 32 (52-20) 1:16 into the third quarter. Stonehill's lead peaked at 35 (64-29) with another Bramanti three with 4:25 to play in the frame and the hosts were not threatened the remainder of the game, despite a late run from Saint Rose to close within the 20-point final.

Stonehill (12-3, 7-2 NE10) is right back in action here at Merkert Gym on Saturday, when it hosts Southern Connecticut State University at 1:30 p.m. Saint Rose (10-6, 3-6 NE10) hosts Franklin Pierce University on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

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