GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (March 13, 2015) –The  Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team advanced to the next round of the NCAA East Regional Championship hosted by Adelphi University with a 78-66 victory over  the University of District of Columbia. Graduate student Jessica Hurd (Kegworth, England) posted a 19 point, 13 rebound double-double, while Junior Kara Charette (Fairhaven, Mass.) and junior Natalie Bastian (Branford, Conn.) were in double digits in Friday afternoon's contest at the Center for Recreation and Sports.

Answering back the Ravens' four points with back-to- back threes, UDC took the lead by 18:50, 6-4. The Firebirds increased their lead, but the Ravens cut into the six point deficit and tied the game 10-10 at 15:41 with a pair of three's by Bastian.

Off a steal by Hurd, Charette would post a jumper to give the Ravens a 12-10 lead a minute later, but junior Tatyana Calhoun would tie the game 12-12 off a layup. Hurd would answer by starting a rally with back-to-back jumpers combined with a three by Bastian to give the Ravens a 19-14 edge by 12:36.

UDC briefly dipped the Ravens lead to four with a layup by junior Shantrel  Oliver, the Ravens pushed their lead to 13 by 5:13 off Bastian's fourth three pointer of the half.

The Firebirds cut into the Raven lead bringing the game within five points in the final two minutes of the first half. Hurd ended the half with a layup in the final five seconds to give the Ravens a seven point advantage, 41-34.

Franklin Pierce had three players in double digits to round off the first 20 minutes.  Bastian posted 14 points, 12 of those from three points, along with a rebound and two assists. Charette chipped in with a dozen points and four rebounds, while Hurd added 12 points and six rebounds. Junior Susie French (Greenland, N.H.) grabbed three rebounds and two assists, while graduate student Kate McDonald (Fall River, Mass.) had seven assists and a steal.  Senior Telisha Turner had 11 points for UDC.

To start the second half, the Ravens pushed their lead to 14 with a jumper by Charette, 48-34 at 17:48. Once again, the Firebirds would cut into the Raven lead decreasing it to 11 by the 17:19 mark.  The Ravens answered back by increasing their lead to 16 53-37. 

After UDC closed to within ten, 53-43, freshman Jemma Thacker (Aldgate, Australia) started a second half rally with a three at 13:07. Hurd followed with a jumper, which led to and back-to-back threes by Thacker and Bastian.  The run was capped by  a layup by sophomore Jasmyne Fogle (Bridgeport, Conn.) to give the Ravens a 21 point cushion, 71-50.

The Firebirds would not go away quietly, rallying once again and getting within 11 points with 3:01 left. The Ravens pushed the lead 16 points with 1:58 courtesy of a Bastian jumper. Franklin Pierce pulled away for a 78-66 victory to advance them to the next round of NCAA Tournament play.

Senior Denikka Brent led UDC with 21 points and nine rebounds. Telisha Turner finished with 20 points and two rebounds.

Kara Charette let the Ravens with 23 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, followed by Natalie Bastian with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jessica Hurd grabbed another double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals.

The Ravens play Saturday, March 14^th, at 5:00 p.m. against the winner of the New Haven (2), Philadelphia University (7) match. 

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).