RINDGE, N.H. (1/28/23) - The Franklin Pierce Women's basketball team brought the offense on Saturday afternoon, but fell behind defensively in the third quarter against the University of New Haven, dropping a 65-54 Northeast-10 Conference decision to the Chargers at The Fieldhouse.

With the loss, the Ravens fall to 6-14 (2-11 NE10) on the season, while the Chargers improve to 11-7 (8-6 NE10) overall.

New Haven charged out of the gate to an early 11-3 advantage, but just as quickly found themselves in trouble as Pierce stormed back with an 8-0, which opened on consecutive three-point baskets by junior Ines Gimenez Monserrat (Mallorca, Spain). Through the opening ten minutes, Gimenez Monserrat totaled eight points to keep Pierce within reach, as they ended the first quarter trailing 18-15.

The Ravens continued to fight from behind in the second quarter, as New Haven eventually worked their way up to a 25-15 lead over the first three minutes. However, to close out the half, Pierce outscored the Chargers by an 8-2 margin, six of which were scored by junior guard Ana Badosa Soler (Girona, Spain) to keep Pierce within range of New Haven, trailing 31-25 at the break.

Midway through the third quarter, Pierce continued their battle from behind with another 6-2 run off a combined effort from junior Collette Mulderig (Scranton, Pa.) and freshman Leana Heitmann (Pompey, N.Y.). With 2:17 left in the frame, Ines Gimenez-Monserrat then knocked down a three-point jumper to shave the Charger lead down to just two-points. However, New Haven took advantage of a late and-one on a layup with 00:02 second left, and would continue to hold the advantage entering the final frame, 46-39.

In the fourth quarter, the fight seemed to dissolve for the Ravens as New Haven pulled away with a 10-1 run. In an attempt to re-ignite the flame, Leana Heitmann and Ines Gimenez-Monserrat converted on consecutive possessions from behind the arc nearing the one minute mark, but could not pull Pierce close enough as New Haven cruised to the 65-54 win.

Ines Gimenez Monserrat led the day for the Ravens, collecting 16 points while going 5-of-15 from the floor with four rebounds and two assists. Ana Badosa Soler also delivered respectable numbers for Pierce with 14 points  from the floor, additionally reeling in 7 rebounds, four assists and one steal. As a group, Pierce shot 20-of-59 in field goals including a 8-of-2 day from three-point range, scoring 21 points off New Haven turnovers.

Women's Basketball will hit the road for their next two matchups, beginning with a trip to Saint Michael's College on Wednesday, February 1st for a 5:30 tipoff.