RINDGE, N.H. (February 17, 2022) – Just 24 hours after a tough decision on the road, the Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team took to the court at the Fieldhouse for a Northeast-10 Conference contest against intrastate rival Southern New Hampshire University. The first 21 points of the game went the wrong way for the Ravens, who held their own the rest of the way, but it would prove far too large a hole to dig out of. Senior Emma Carter (Bristol, Vt.) recorded 18 points in defeat, as Franklin Pierce dropped an 87-73 decision to the Penmen. SNHU junior Adriana Timberlake led all players with 20 points.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 10-12 (6-10 NE10) with three games remaining in the regular season. Northeast Division leader SNHU improves its record to 18-5 (13-4 NE10).

The Penmen started the game with the first eight points, all scored by Timberlake, with a pair of threes and a finish at the rim, which forced an early timeout for the Ravens. SNHU continued the scoring onslaught over the first four-plus minutes, eventually putting home the first 21 points of the contest, capped by a layup from junior Ariana Koivisto, which forced another timeout. Senior Lisa Sulejmani (Burlington, Vt.) finally got the Ravens on the board with a step-back, mid-range jumper. Franklin Pierce found the basket thrice more, but the Penmen refused to slow down and barreled to a 34-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.

It was all about the defense for the Ravens in the second quarter. The offense still struggled to get into gear to start the stanza, but on the other side of the court, the defense forced six turnovers and recorded three steals. Sophomore Linda Brueckner (Düsseldorf, Germany) helped on the offensive end with a trio of three-pointers in the period. The Ravens also managed to get to the line eight times in the frame, and made all of them, which allowed the team to score 21 points in the period, though they were still staring up the mountain at a 49-29 deficit at halftime.

Brueckner led the Ravens with nine points at the half thanks to her three makes in the second quarter. Senior Rylee Skinner (Leominster, Mass.) followed with six, including four points from the line, while also grabbing three rebounds. The Penmen were led by Timberlake and sophomore Jessica Knight with 10 points each. The latter also snagged four rebounds in the half.

Whatever adjustments the Franklin Pierce coaching staff made during the break worked well for the Ravens, who would go on to post a 44-38 advantage in the second half against one of the NE10's premier teams. Carter and sophomore Gisela Vazquez Segura (Igualada, Spain) each had long-range three-pointers coming out of halftime. Carter followed up with an impressive and-one finish at the basket, and capitalized on the opportunity at the line. Meanwhile, Segura grabbed a pair of steals in the SNHU backcourt. Skinner added a pair of slick finishes at the rim and the Ravens outscored the Penmen 22-19 in the third quarter.

Trailing 68-51, Franklin Pierce continued to apply the pressure in the fourth and trimmed the final deficit down to 14 points, from its high of 30, early in the second quarter.

Timberlake found the basket eight times to the tune of 20 points to lead all scorers. Knight and graduate student Karlee Ziliak followed with 14 each. Four Penmen grabbed seven rebounds apiece, as the quartet tied Skinner for the game high. Carter recorded 18 points to lead the Ravens, with help from Skinner (12 points) and Sulejmani (10), who both reached double figures.

Next up for the Ravens is a home date with NE10 opponent Bentley University on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.