Ravens hold River Hawks to 27.3-percent shooting in victory

RINDGE, N.H. (February 2, 2008) – Franklin Pierce University, ranked 25th in this week’s USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II poll and third in the NCAA Northeast Regional rankings, never trailed in posting a 65-41 victory over the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball action at the Fieldhouse today.

Sophomore All-American Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) led a balanced Franklin Pierce effort with 14 points (12 first half) to go with five rebounds and five assists. Junior Vanessa Power (Mildura, Australia) buried 4-of-6 three-pointers for 12 points and a season-high six rebounds. Classmate Jennifer Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) chipped in 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, to go with three rebounds, four steals and two assists. Freshman Cynthia Gaudet (Coventry, R.I./LaSalle Academy) chipped in seven points, three assists and two steals.

Sophomore Jen Valente (Prospect, Conn./Woodland Regional) was the lone UMass Lowell player in double figures with ten points, on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, and four rebounds (three offensive). Junior Bridgette Hooker (Belmont, N.H./Belmont) contributed eight points and six rebounds (all offensive), while sophomore Tricia Tacey (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) chipped in eight points.

Franklin Pierce connected on 50-percent (22-for-44) of its shots from the field, including 10-of-19 (52.6%) from three-point range, in the contest. UMass Lowell made just 27.3% (15-55) of its shots, including 3-of-19 (15.8%) from beyond the arc. The Ravens, who scored the first 11 points of the contest, led 35-21 at the break behind 52.2% (12-23) shooting from the field, including 6-11 (54.5%) from three-point range.

“We defended extremely well today,” said Franklin Pierce Head Coach Mark Swasey. “Our post defense was probably the best we’ve had all year and our guards were very active in the passing lanes and with their close outs.”

The Ravens also enjoyed a 28-16 advantage in points off turnovers, forcing 27 River Hawks miscues and collecting 21 steals. The Ravens lead never got within double-figures from the midway point of the first half on, building as much as a 25-point lead (61-36) with 3:36 to play.

“Holding an NE-10 team to 41 points is a solid accomplishment,” said Swasey. “We need to take some momentum from this into Bryant on Tuesday."

With the win, Franklin Pierce keeps pace atop the NE-10 standings, tied with Assumption College (12-4) for second place, a half game behind Stonehill College (12-3) and a half game ahead of fourth place Bentley College (11-4). The Ravens hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with Assumption.

Franklin Pierce (17-4, 12-4 NE-10) is back in action on Tuesday when it hosts Bryant University, ranked sixth in the region, in a key NE-10 contest at 5:30 p.m. UMass Lowell (10-11, 5-11 NE-10) visits 19th-ranked Stonehill College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.