Deguire Double-Doubles Again as Purple Knights Gallop to Victory

RINDGE, N.H. (February 8, 2017) – Franklin Pierce University women's basketball senior forward Mikayla Deguire (Watervilet, N.Y.) manufactured her second consecutive double-double as the Ravens dropped a 60-53 decision to Northeast-10 Conference Opponent Saint Michael's College on Wednesday evening in The Fieldhouse. With the win, the Purple Knights improve to 12-10, 10-7 NE10 and the loss was the Crimson & Grey's 20th of the season.

This evening against Saint Michael's was the third game of the women's team Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge. FPU converted 4-of-16 (25.0%) from long range meaning $38.00 has been donated to the American Cancer Society. Since the challenge began last Wednesday, the Crimson and Grey have gone 14-of-48 (29.1%) from deep and have amassed a total of $133.00 to the ACS. To make a pledge for the Coaches vs. Cancer 3-Point Challenge please click here.

Deguire dropped a team-high 12 points to go along with 11 boards and a squad-best two steals. Teammate Dana Campbell (Merrick, N.Y.) chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, one assist, one block and a steal. Jemma Thacker (Nairne, South Australia) added 10 points, three caroms, three assists and a theft. Sarah Middleton (Barrington, R.I.) and Kelsey Mayo (Oakland, Maine) racked up nine points apiece.

For the guests, Emily Ferreri led the way with a game-best 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, three steals and an assist. Samantha Delaney poured in 10 points and 10 rebounds en route to a double-double performance. Guard Brianna Purcell scored 10 points, snagged eight boards and handed out four assists.

The contest was a back and forth affair that saw 14 lead changes and nine ties. The Purple Knights capitalized off Raven turnovers as they amassed 16 points off 17 Raven miscues.

The game remained scoreless through the first two minutes until Toni Akinpetide banked in a jumper from the left elbow to put SMC up 2-0. Thacker tallied the next two buckets in the contest on a pick and roll in the high post and a drive down low to push the Ravens ahead 4-2.

Trailing by four, the Ravens scored seven straight markers to end the half. Mayo went to work in the paint as she scooped a layup into the hoop. Following a Saint Michael's turnover, Cameryn Wilson (Newport News, Va.) threw the rock into the low block to Mayo who again converted an easy two while getting fouled. Mayo made the freebie to regain the lead to the Ravens at 11-10. The final 1:30 of the quarter went scoreless, but Campbell connected from the left elbow as time expired to push the Raven lead to three, 13-10.

The Purple Knights scored eight in a row to open the second with Indira Evora's three from the left corner off a cross court Ferreri feed which was the signature play of the mini run. The 8-0 scoring binge put the guests ahead by five, 18-13. The Ravens clawed back to come within one on a Deguire jumper at 19-18. Two Purcell free throws pushed the lead back to five, 25-20 with 2:05 left, but the Ravens closed the quarter by scoring seven straight as Campbell made a three from the left wing as the horn sounded signaling the conclusion of the half. The Ravens led by two, 27-25 at the intermission.

Both teams swapped buckets to begin the third stanza and Middleton put her team up by three as she notched a layup after a possession saving offensive board by Diondra Woumn (Lynn, Mass.). Five straight by the Purple Knights regained the lead to their side as Ferreri scooped home a layup. Thacker briefly put the hosts back ahead by one as she converted a three-point play, but two free throws at the end of the quarter put the Purple Knights up 41-40 at the end of three.

Saint Michael's scored three in a row all via free throws to open a two possession lead over the Ravens. With 6:34 to go, Deguire got the Ravens back within two as she took a pass from Wilson and buried a mid-range jumper. Campbell tied up the game at the 5:13 mark with a catch and shoot corner three which made the score 46 all.

Trailing by four, Deguire came down with an offensive board which led to a Wilson trey from the corner to put the Ravens back within one at 51-50 with 3:02 left. Over the final minutes, the guests added seven straight points to take an eight point lead, 58-50 with 24 seconds to go which effectively ended the Ravens comeback chances.

The Ravens head out on the road on Saturday when the faceoff against NE10 foe and no. 19 nationally-ranked Bentley at 1:30 p.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' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).