Assumption Grounds Franklin Pierce, 64-57
Greyhounds match program record with 11 three's in closing out Ravens
RINDGE, N.H. (February 18, 2004) - Assumption College, ranked seventh in the Northeast Region, matched a program record with 11 three-pointers in posting a 64-57 victory over Franklin Pierce in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action at the Franklin Pierce Fieldhouse tonight.
Assumption hit 52.1-percent (25-48) of its shots from the field, including 11-of-19 (57.9%) from three-point range, to fend off Franklin Pierce's upset bid. The 11 three's matched the program's single-season mark accomplished twice previously against Saint Michael's College in back-to-back seasons (1999 & 2000).
Sophomore Kerry Milhaven (Wantagh, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) led the Assumption charge with a game-high 17 points, aided by 4-6 shooting from long-distance, four assists and three steals. Senior Katelyn Dwyer (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) totaled 13 points, four boards and four assists, while junior Freddie Grant (Huntingdon, Quebec/Vanier College) chipped in 12 points and five steals.
Senior forward Susan Ocitti (Cambridge, Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin) led Franklin Pierce with 14 points (ten first half), five rebounds (three offensive) and two steals. Sophomore Heather Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) matched her career-high with 11 points, aided by a career-best 3-3 shooting from three-point range, in 16 minutes off the bench. Senior Tara Bligh (Milton, Mass./Milton) added eight points, four boards and four assists, while freshman Mollie Stelmack (New Westminster, British Columbia/New Westminster) chipped in eight points, four assists and two steals.
Leading by a point (32-31) after an Ocitti lay-up to open the second half, Assumption posted a 17-6 run to take a 12-point advantage (49-37) midway through the stanza. Milhaven, senior Margaret Liljedahl (Mattapoisett, Mass./Old Rochester) and sophomore Kristen DiCalogero (Walpole, Mass./Walpole) drained three-pointers during the run.
Franklin Pierce answered with a 10-0 run to draw within two (49-47) with 6:43 to play as senior Erin Bailey (North Grafton, Mass./Nashua (N.H.)) and junior Patricia Lang (Monroe, N.H./Saint Johnsbury Academy) canned three's to spark the rally.
The Greyhounds answered with a 10-2 run to squash the Ravens rally and push their lead back to ten points (59-49) with 2:19 left in regulation. Franklin Pierce closed to within five (62-57) as Jacobs canned two of her three's over the final 1:55, but ran out of time and possessions.
Franklin Pierce (7-18, 3-18 NE-10) rounds out its Northeast-10 Conference campaign on Saturday when it travels to American International College at 1:30 p.m. The Ravens are still alive for a third-straight postseason berth, but need a win on Saturday, losses by College of Saint Rose (7-18, 4-15 NE-10) in its final two games and Southern New Hampshire (8-17, 3-17 NE-10) to win one of its last two the season. The resulting three-way tie would favor Franklin Pierce as it has posted a combined 2-1 record against the two, while Saint Rose is 1-1 against the other two and SNHU is 1-2.
Assumption (18-7, 14-6 NE-10) hosts Southern New Hampshire on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.