Diabate posts second career double-double to lead balanced Skyhawks effort
Diabate posted her second career double-double to help lead a balanced Skyhawks effort today (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix) |
EASTON, Mass. (February 2, 2019) – Stonehill College, ranked No. 7 in this week's D2SIDA East Region rankings, shot a combined 58-percent from the floor over the second and third quarters to take control in a 76-58 victory over Adelphi University in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action before an Alumnae Day crowd at Merkert Gymnasium this afternoon.
Stonehill placed five in double-figures, including four of five starters, in a balanced offensive performance. Senior Maty Diabate posted her first double-double of the season (second career) with 12 points and a team-high ten rebounds (six offensive), with four assists and two steals. Freshman Isabella Santoro points and five assists. Sophomore Jennifer Worden contributed 11 points, four rebounds and two assists, while junior Gabrielle Reuter finished with ten points, seven boards, two assists and two blocked shots.
Senior Niajah Morgan paced Adelphi with a double-double of 23 points and 13 rebounds, with five steals. Junior Leonie Edringer was the only other Panther in double-figures with 15 points and eight boards, while sophomore Katie Murphy chipped in nine points, three rebounds and two assists.
Stonehill overcame 4-for-24 shooting (16.7-percent) in the first quarter, yet only trailed by four (15-11) heading to the second. The Skyhawks would connect on 55.6% (10-for-18) of their shots in the second quarter to grab control of the game, and then hit 60% (9-15) in the third, including 5-for-7 (71.4%) from three-point distance, to break the game open.
Santoro scored ten of her season-high 14 points off the bench in the second half (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix) |
Adelphi extended its lead to a game-high eight (19-11) after a layup from Murphy less than a minute into the second quarter. Stonehill responded with an 11-1 run to take its first lead (22-20) with a Carter three-pointer with 5:50 to go in the half. Murphy knotted the score for the Panthers on their next trip, but the Skyhawks followed with the next four points to start a 12-2 run to finish the half and take a ten-point lead (34-24) into the break.
Carter opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, but Adelphi was able to draw back within eight twice, the last of which (39-31) came after a Morgan jumper with 5:53 left in the frame. Consecutive three-pointers from Worden closed out the quarter and gave Stonehill a 16-point lead (57-41) heading into the final ten minutes.
Stonehill kept building its lead by holding Adelphi scoreless over the first three and a half minutes of the fourth to grab a 21-point advantage (62-41) with a Worden free-throw. The lead wouldn't dip inside 19 until the final margin, with the Skyhawks lead reaching 23-points (70-47) on a Santoro triple with 3:50 left.
Stonehill (15-5, 10-4 NE10) is back in action on Wednesday, when it visits nationally-ranked and rival Bentley University for a matchup that will be broadcast through the NCAA Division II Showcase via Twitter and Facebook Live at 5:35 p.m. The Skyhawks return home on Tuesday, February 12, to host Saint Michael's College for its Faculty & Staff Appreciation Game at 5:30 p.m. Adelphi (9-12, 6-8 NE10) hosts Le Moyne College on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
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