Glidden nets career-high 20 points, combining with Bramanti for 39 as Skyhawks post second-straight win in NEC opener
Glidden scored eight of her career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to help the Skyhawks seal the win (PHOTO BY Brian Foley) |
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (January 2, 2023) – Stonehill College jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first half behind 56-percent shooting in the frame on its way to a 73-66 victory over Central Connecticut State University in its Northeast Conference debut on the opening day of the 2022-23 NEC schedule at Detrick Gymnasium this afternoon.
Fifth-years Sophie Glidden and Emily Bramanti combined for 39 points to lead four from Stonehill in double-figures. Glidden scored a career-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, with five rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot, while Bramanti scored all 19 of her points in the first half on 7-of-10 shooting, including 2-for-3 from three in the opening half, finishing 7-for-12 in the contest, while adding a season-high six assists, two rebounds and a block.
Bramanti spearheaded a Stonehill offensive effort that shot 56.3-percent (18-for-32) in the first half, including 3-for-7 from three (42.9%), before shooting 51.9% (28-for-54) to finish at 50-percent of better from the floor for the second-straight game and third time over the last five games. Junior Cameron Ward reached double-figures for the second-straight game with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, eight rebounds, an assist and block, while senior Mia Kelly chipped in ten points and four boards.
Junior Dejah Jenkins led three from Central Connecticut State in double-figures with 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Freshman Lara Rohkohl added 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting with eight rebounds and two blocked shots, while sophomore Belle Lanpher contributed 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, three boards, four assists and a steal.
Bramanti scored 19 first half points to spearhead the Skyhawks to a 17 point first half lead (PHOTO BY Brian Foley) |
After Central Connecticut State scored the first five points, including a Jenkins three-pointer, Stonehill reeled off the next 13 to grab an eight-point lead (13-5) after a three-point play from Bramanti, who scored seven points in all during the run, with four minutes remaining in the opening frame. CCSU pulled back within two (13-11) following a three-point play from Rohkohl just a minute later, but the Skyhawks were able to take a five-point lead (22-17) into the second quarter.
Stonehill used a 9-2 spurt to push its lead into double-figures (33-21) after a putback from sophomore Maureen Stapleton four minutes into the second. The Skyhawks run extended to 21-9 over the first seven minutes of the quarter, pushing their lead to a game-high 17 (43-26) after a Ward three-pointer.
CCSU was able to trim the deficit to 11 (43-32) at the break and closed to within six (55-49) after a Jenkins triple with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter. Stonehill was able to reclaim a ten-point lead (63-53) after a Glidden layup with 6:29 to go in the fourth, but the Blue Devils made one more push, drawing within six on four occasions in the final three minutes, but the Skyhawks had the answer each time and sealed win from there, with a key basket a three-point play from Glidden with 1:32 to play.
Coach's Corner
"I am so excited for our team," said Stonehill head coach Trisha Brown. "This is just a great way to start our NEC journey. Our veterans are really showing their experience by doing a great job of sharing and taking care of the ball."
Noteworthy
- Stonehill has now won back-to-back games for the first time in its NCAA Division I era. The Skyhawks now have wins in three of their last five and four of seven since the end of November.
- The Skyhawks joined the Stonehill men's basketball team in winning their NEC debut game, as the men notched a 74-67 win at Sacred Heart University on Thursday. Stonehill is the first NEC newcomer to see both its men's and women's teams win their Conference openers since Quinnipiac University in 1998-99.
- Stonehill is the eighth women's program to win in its NEC debut out of ten newcomers since the league formed in 1981.
- Stonehill now leads the all-time series with Central Connecticut State 4-0, with today's game marking the first meeting between the two since a 106-74 victory at Merkert Gymnasium in Easton on November 23, 1983.
- Stonehill placed four players in double-figures for the second-straight game, marking the first two games the Skyhawks have done so this season.
- Bramanti scored in double-figures for the eighth straight game and 37th time in her career.
- Glidden's career-high 20 points were split evenly between the first and second halves, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter, marking her sixth double-figure scoring game of the season (13th career).
- Ward, who scored a career-best 14 points in Thursday's win over Queens (N.Y.) nearly matched it with her second-straight double-figure performance today.
Up Next
Stonehill (5-9, 1-0 NEC) is back in action on Friday, when it hosts Saint Francis (Pa.) University in an NEC matchup at Merkert Gymnasium at 6 p.m. Central Connecticut State (3-9, 0-1 NEC) visits St. Francis University of Brooklyn on Friday at 7 p.m.
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