Rindge, N.H. (November 19, 2014) –Franklin Pierce University women's basketball pulled away with just under seven minutes to play to earn an 86-66 win in their home opener and first Northeast-10 Conference game against Saint Michael's College Wednesday night at the Fieldhouse. Senior Jessica Hurd (Kegworth, England) would post 19 points to be game high scorer.

With the win, the Ravens start Conference play off at 1-0, with a 2-1 total record; Saint Michael's falls to a 2-1 total, and 0-1 in Conference play.

Ravens junior Alison Palma (Stamford, Conn.) would also post 10 points. Graduate Student Kate McDonald (Fall River, Mass.) and freshman Emma Matthews (Smyrna, Del.) would each contribute eight points. Saint Michael's sophomore Indira Evora posted 10 points in the first half.

 Although the Ravens were ahead at the start of the second half, 42-34, Saint Michael's put up a fight to begin the second half.  Junior Makenzie Burud's free throw at 15:51 would bring the game to seven points, 50-43. The Ravens would give themselves a double digit lead, 56-45, with a layup by Hurd.

Just before the 10 minute mark, Burud would bring the game within seven points once again with her free throws. A three pointer by junior Ashley Forand (Storrs, Conn.) would give the Ravens back their double digit lead, 63-53, with just under 10 minutes to play. Burud's foul shots seconds later would once again lessen the lead for the Ravens, and a layup by freshman Tomi Akinpetide would bring the Purple Knights to a six point deficit.  Charette would respond with a layup to increase the Raven lead to 65-57. Burud would battle to close the gap with a layup, but junior Dyamond  Gardner (Cambridge, Mass.) would bring the Ravens to another 10 point lead, 69-59. Senior Kelly Frappier would bring Saint Michael's within nine points, 69-60, with her foul shot, but that would be the final time the score was separated by single digits.

Forand's three pointer followed by a jumper would seal the double digit lead for the Ravens with a 72-60 lead with 5:47 on the clock. At 3:41, a three pointer by Burud would bring the game within 10 points, 76-66, but junior Natalie Bastian (Branford, Conn.) would bring the lead back to 12 points, 78-66.

Purple Knights freshman Maddy Bennett would close the Raven lead with her foul shot at the one minute  mark, but free throws by junior Dana Campbell (Merrick, N.Y.)  and a layup by junior Susie French (Greenland, N.H.) would give the Ravens the push to finish the game with a final  of 86-66.

Makenzie Burud would score 14 points for the Purple Knights, with sophomore Indira Evora posting 11 and Kelly Frappier scoring 10.

Jessica Hurd would be the game high scorer with 19 points, followed by Kara Charette with 14. Alison Palma would post 10 points, all in the first half.  and Alison Palma would post 10 all in the first half.

The Ravens are back in the Fieldhouse this Saturday, November 22nd at 1:30 p.m. to host Merrimack in their second Northeast-10 Conference game.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's basketball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).