Women's Hoop Bests Bryant 69-61
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Stephanie Houghton (Manchester, NH) totaled 16 points, six rebounds and four assists as Southern New Hampshire University posted a 69-61 Northeast-10 women’s basketball victory over Bryant University at the Chace Center Wednesday night. The Penmen, who have won three of four, evened their record at 8-8 overall and 5-7 in Northeast-10 play, while the Bulldogs are 11-6 and 6-6 in the league.
Houghton nailed a pair of three pointers and was 6-6 at the free throw line. Freshman Megan Smith (Smithfield, ME) recorded a double-double by posting season highs in points (10) and rebounds (12) while going 5-8 from the floor. Megan Shay (Candor, NY) drained a pair of threes and finished with eight points, while Sara Tucker (Red Hook, NY) and Ashara Carrington (Marblehead, MA) also finished with eight points apiece.
Lynne-Anne Kokoski paced the Bulldogs with 16 points and five assists.
The Penmen found themselves down 7-0 just 1:33 into the contest but did not let the Bulldogs extend their lead any further. SNHU tied the game 22-22 with just over five minutes to play on a Tucker basket that was part of a 13-2 Penmen run that gave the guests a 31-24 lead with 2:38 before halftime on a fast break basket by Smith. Southern New Hampshire took a 34-30 lead into the locker room.
Bryant took a 38-36 lead two minutes into the second half on a Kokoski basket, but the Penmen scored the next five points to take a 41-38 lead on a Houghton three with 16:34 to play. SNHU extended the lead to seven, 49-42, on a Heather Marino (Billerica, MA) basket with 11:19 to go.
The Bulldogs would cut the lead to one three times, the last with 4:41 to go on a Kokoski basket, but the Penmen would not surrender the lead. Southern New Hampshire sealed the victory by going 8-8 at the free throw line in the final minute, including a 6-6 effort from Houghton.
Southern New Hampshire shot 54.2% in the opening 20 minutes and 47.2% for the game while holding the Bulldogs to 27.8% shooting in the second half and 33.8% for the game. Bryant was also just 1-15 from three-point land. The Penmen, who were able to overcome 30 turnovers, were 15-16 at the free throw line. Bryant held a 40-37 rebounding advantage.
SNHU returns to action Saturday when it hosts Merrimack College in a 1:30 game at the SNHU Fieldhouse.
~ For a complete box score, please visit www.northeast10.org ~