RINDGE, N.H. (March 1, 2015)-  The Second-seeded Franklin Pierce University hosted third-seeded Southern Connecticut State in their postseason home opener Sunday afternoon at the Fieldhouse. With four Ravens in double digits, Franklin Pierce women's basketball took the 70-59 win in the Northeast-10 quarterfinals.

The Ravens advance to 18-9 overall, while remaining 13-8 in Northeast-10 play, while the Owls end their season with a 14-15 record, while 11-9 in Northeast-10 play.

Southern Connecticut would control the game once during the entire contest at the 17 minute mark off a three pointer by junior Nicole Grossbard, 6-5. Franklin Pierce pushed their lead to seven by 11:44 with sophomore Alison Palma's (Stamford, Conn.) layup, 18-11. However, their lead was lessened to just two by 6:01 with senior Sydni Lester's layup.  The Ravens ended the half 32-23 holding their largest lead in the half.

Franklin Pierce had balanced scoring in the first half with junior Natalie Bastian (Branford, Conn.) and graduate student Jessica Hurd (Kegworth, England) posting eight points, while Hurd had seven rebounds. Graduate student Kate McDonald (Fall River, Mass.) had six assists.

The Ravens came out strong in the second half extending their lead to 14 twice. Free throws by sophomore Taylor McLaughlin brought the game within single digits at 12:05, the closest the Owls would come to the lead. 

Hurd and Bastian brought the Raven advantage back to 14, 49-35, with just under 10 to play.  The game would  briefly be within 10 until the Ravens started their final push, bringing the lead to as much as 17 points at 2:13 with a Bastian free throw. Sophomore Jasmyne Fogel (Bridgeport, Conn.) would end the game with a jumper in the final two seconds to give the Ravens a 70-56 victory.

Junior Jackie Beathea posted 11 points, while Sydni Lester posted 10 with 4 assists. Danielle Powell grabbed five rebounds while contributing seven points.

Natalie Bastian led the game with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, followed by Jessica Hurd with 16 points and 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Alison Palma had 11 points and 4 rebound and junior Kara Charette (Fairhaven, Mass.) posted 10 while grabbing 6 rebounds. Kate McDonald contributed 9 assists and a three pointer.

The Ravens travel to Garden City to play at the Center for Recreation and Sports to take on Adelphi in the Northeast-10 Semifinals on Thursday at 7p.m. 

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' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).