Skyhawk earn key regular season series sweep to strengthen postseason credentials Thornton and Ward combine for 35 to lead three double-figure scorers
Ward totaled 17 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Skyhawks today (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard) |
LORETTO, Pa. (February 24, 2024) – Stonehill College earned its first road win of the season to strengthen its position among the top eight in the Northeast Conference standings with three games to play after a 66-56 triumph over Saint Francis University at DeGol Arena this evening.
Seniors Jada Thornton and Cameron Ward combined for 35 points to lead Stonehill's three double-figure scorers and complete a key regular season series sweep of Saint Francis – one of five teams the Skyhawks are battling for the final four spots in the upcoming NEC Tournament. Thornton led the Skyhawks with 18 points and three assists, while Ward contributed 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, five rebounds and two steals.
Junior Sharn Hayward rounded out Stonehill's double-figure scorers with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-for-3 from three-point distance, adding four assists and three boards while completing her third-straight 40-minute game. Classmate Maureen Stapleton hauled in double-digit rebounds for the second-straight game (eighth total) with a game-high ten, chipping in two points, two assists and two blocked shots.
Freshman Kendall Carruthers matched Thornton with 18 points, adding four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Classmate Yanessa Boyd was the only other Red Flash in double-figures with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, five rebounds and two steals.
Thornton scored a game-high 18 points and dished out three assists for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Brian Foley) |
Stonehill got off to a fast start with three different players scoring the first six points of the game as the Skyhawks jumped out to a 12-2 lead after a Thornton jumper with 3:10 left in the first quarter. She scored five points in all during that stretch, and she sent the Skyhawks into the second quarter with a ten point cushion (20-10) with a driving layup as time expired in the frame.
Saint Francis scored the first four points of the second quarter to trim its deficit to six (20-14) less than two minutes in, but Stonehill followed with six-straight, the last four from Ward, to push its lead to 12 (25-14) with 5:45 remaining in the half. The Red Flash closed back within six (28-22) after a three-pointer from sophomore Marissa Shelton a minute and a half later, and the two teams largely traded baskets the remainder of the half, with Thornton again capping the quarter with a layup for an eight-point Skyhawks cushion (35-27) at the break.
Stonehill didn't allow Saint Francis any closer than six points the remainder of the game, with the Red Flash within seven (50-43) after another Shelton triple with 3:21 to go in the third. The Skyhawks scored the final six points of the quarter, including four from Thornton, to carry a 13-point margin (56-43) into the fourth.
Stonehill closed the game out from there, holding Saint Francis at arm's length over the entire fourth quarter. Ward twice stretched the Skyhawks lead to a game-high 14 points, the latter after a free-throw with 90-seconds remaining that sealed the win.
Noteworthy
- Stonehill has moved into sole possession of sixth place in the NEC standings with three games to play after the win and other results around the Conference today. The Skyhawks trail Central Connecticut State (5-8) by a game and hold a game in the loss column over LIU (4-10) and Saint Francis (4-10), while Wagner (3-10) sits a full game behind the Skyhawks.
- Stonehill has scored 60-plus points and held the opposition under 60 in each of its wins this season.
- Thornton scored in double-figures for the 15th time this season (18 career), including five times over a six-game stretch that has seen her average 16.3 points per game.
- Ward and Thornton have combined to average 29.7 points per game in the month of February, having accounted for 54.8-percent of Stonehill's scoring this month.
- Ward, who is averaging 13.3 points per game in February has scored in double-figures four of the last five games and six games in all this season (eight career).
- Stapleton pulled down double-digit rebounds for the eighth time this season (11th career), leading Skyhawk rebounders for the 17th time this season (20th career).
- Stonehill matched a season-low with 14 turnovers for the second-straight game and posted a 34-31 rebounding edge.
Up Next
Stonehill (4-22, 4-9 NEC) closes out a February stretch of five of seven games on the road on Thursday, when it visits NEC leaders Sacred Heart University at 7 p.m. The Skyhawks return to Merkert Gymnasium on Saturday to host Central Connecticut State University for Senior Day at 2 p.m. Saint Francis (5-22, 4-10 NEC) visits Le Moyne College next Saturday at 2 p.m.
Tickets for home Stonehill basketball games can be purchased in advance online at stonehillskyhawks.com/tickets.
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