Franklin Pierce Halts Southern N.H., 59-49
Leedham and stingy defense lead Ravens to key victory
MANCHESTER, N.H. (January 13, 2007) - Franklin Pierce ended a four-game Conference losing streak with a 59-49 victory over Southern New Hampshire University in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action at the SNHU Fieldhouse this afternoon.
Franklin Pierce limited Southern New Hampshire to 26.8-percent (15-of-56) shooting from the field, including 4-21 (19%) from three-point range, and posted a 17-9 advantage in points off turnovers. The Ravens hit 44.2% (19-43) of their shots from the field, including 47.8% (11-23) in building an 11-point halftime lead.
Freshman Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy) led all scorers with 19 points (10 first half) as she hit 5-of-10 shots from the field and converted 9-of-10 free-throws to go with a six rebounds, three steals and two assists. Sophomore Vanessa Power (Mildura, Australia) added ten points, hitting 3-4 three-point attempts, and three rebounds. Senior Nicola Dalton (Danbury, Conn./Ridgefield) chipped in seven points, six rebounds and two steals.
Junior Sara Tucker (Red Hook, N.Y./Red Hook Central) was the lone Southern New Hampshire player in double-figures with 15 points, aided by 9-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line, and seven rebounds. Sophomore Stephanie Houghton (Manchester, N.H./West) added six points, while senior Maike Mocikat (Heidelberg, Germany) chipped in seven rebounds and four steals.
A pair of Tucker free-throws drew SNHU within a pair (23-21) with 3:49 left in the first half, but Franklin Pierce answered with a 9-1 run to open its first double-figure lead (32-22) of the game after a Power three-pointer with 1:41 left before the break. Freshman Andrea Lozeau (Pelham, N.H./Central Catholic) hit a three-pointer for the Penmen, but freshman Rachel Kimball (Schenectady, N.Y./Monohasen) scored the final four points of the half for Franklin Pierce to give the Ravens an 11-point cushion (36-25) going into the locker room.
Franklin Pierce extended its lead to 17 points (50-33) after a Power three with 12:24 to play in regulation. SNHU was able to close within seven (56-49) after a pair of Tucker free-throws with 3:13 left, but that would be the final Penmen points of the day as they went 0-for-5 from the field with three turnovers the rest of the way.
Franklin Pierce (12-5, 8-4 NE-10) is back in action on Tuesday when it hosts Le Moyne College at 5:30 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (5-12, 3-10 NE-10) hosts Bryant University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.