RINDGE, N.H. (1/7/23) – The Franklin Pierce women's basketball team got a much needed breath of fresh air on Saturday afternoon, defeating Queens College (N.Y.) by a score of 69-63 in non-conference action at The Fieldhouse.

The victory halts the Ravens recent three-game skid, and improves their season record to 6-9 (2-6 NE10) overall. The Knights drop to 4-9 (2-2 CACC) on the season following the loss.

The afternoon got off to a rather slow start for both teams, with the first batch of points coming over two minutes into the action on a driving layup by junior Ines Gimenez Monserrat (Mallorca, Spain). From then onward through the first stanza, Pierce would never surrender the lead to the Knights, climbing to a 15-9 advantage through the first 10 minutes of play.

The final 10 minutes of the first half saw both teams shoot 50.0% from the field, with Pierce rallying behind another seven points scored by Gimenez Monserrat. However, Queens began to test the Raven defense late, climbing back into the contest on a 12-4 run throughout the final 3:30 of the half. Despite falling slightly behind in the second quarter offensively, Pierce refused to give up the lead to the Knights, and would carry a 32-30 lead to the locker room at the break.

Four consecutive points to begin the third saw the Knights claim their first lead of the afternoon, but it was short lived as a three-pointer from freshman Kenzie Sirowich (Seymour, Conn.) put Pierce back ahead. From there, the Ravens took advantage of the momentum going on a 13-2 run through the bulk of the quarter, capped by a three pointer from Gimenez Monserrat. Of the thirteen points, four were scored by junior Ashley Smith (Holden, Mass.) who would lead Pierce in the third with seven total points from the floor, propelling them into the final frame with a 51-40 lead.

The fourth quarter proved to be a battle for both sides, but the Pierce offense continued match the Knights' offensive output in an effort to disrupt their comeback bid. With 1:13 left to play, Ines Gimenez Monserrat converted on a three-pointer to push the Raven lead to 65-55, forcing a brief Queens timeout. With their only option left but to foul, the Ravens capitalized on their free throw opportunities in the dwindling seconds of the contest, securing the 69-63 victory.

Ines Gimenez Monserrat led the charge and matched her season-high 23 points on the afternoon, pairing it with six rebounds and three assists across 36 minutes played. Junior Anna Badosa Soler (Girona, Spain) and freshman Sara Macary (Naugatuck, Conn.) each additionally reached double-digit figures in the winning effort, collecting 12 and 10 points respectively while combining for 7-of-19 from the floor. As a team, Pierce put together an improved offensive effort, going a collective 23-of-58 (39.7%) in field goals.

Women's basketball will return to conference play on Tuesday, January 10^th with a road matchup at Adelphi University beginning at 5:30 p.m.