Women's Basketball: Ravens Keep Season Alive in Narrow Victory Over Saint Michael's, 65-63

Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa 

RINDGE, N.H (3/1/2024) -- In the first round of the 2024 NE-10 Playoffs, the Franklin Pierce women's basketball team slipped by the Saint Michael's Purple Knights 65-63. For the Ravens, the victory marks their 8^th consecutive win and ties the most wins in a season since the 2014-15 campaign.

Score: Franklin Pierce 65, St. Michael's 63 
Records: Franklin Pierce (19-9, 13-9 NE-10), St. Michael's (6-23, 2-20 NE-10)   
Location: Rindge, N.H (The Fieldhouse)   
Date: Friday, March 1, 2024  

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

• In the first quarter, St. Michael's got support from freshman Amber Furch and sophomore forward Julie Lyden, who both tallied five points. Franklin Pierce senior forward Gisela Vazquez Segura (Igualada, Spain) was 2 for 4 from the field with four points. The Ravens had six offensive rebounds in the quarter as they found ways to keep plays alive. The Purple Knights held on to a 16-12 lead at the end of quarter one. 
• Franklin Pierce responded in the second quarter. Senior guard Janessa Gonzalez (Meriden, CT) had 12 points off the bench and was 4 for 5 from the field. The Ravens shot 57% from the field in the second quarter and had a 36-32 lead over the Purple Knights at halftime.
• In the third quarter, St. Michael's crawled their way back, outscoring Franklin Pierce 16-12. Senior guard Paige Slaven had nine points and was 2 for 2 from behind the arc. The Ravens led 50-48 heading into the final quarter. 
• Franklin Pierce senior guard Anna Badosa Soler (Girona, Spain) had six points in the fourth quarter and was 2 for 3 from the field. The game came down to the wire, and St. Michael's had a chance to win the game or tie and force overtime. Slaven's three-pointer was off the mark, and senior guard Jaxson Nadeau's missed the follow. The Ravens secured the 65-63 win in front of their home crowd, and they are playing Southern New Hampshire in the second round of the NE-10 Playoffs on Tuesday. 
• For the Ravens, Gonzalez played 17 minutes off the bench and finished the night with 12 points. She was 4 for 7 from the field. Three Raven starters finished the night in double figures. Soler had 14 points, shot 3 for 8 from the field, and was 8 for 9 from the free-throw line. Senior forward Colette Mulderig (Scranton, PA) had 12 points and seven rebounds. She was 5 for 13 from the field. Sophomore guard Leana Heitmann (Syracuse, NY) played 38 minutes and had 10 points. She was 4 for 14 from the field.
• For the Purple Knights, Slaven finished the night with 19 points. She shot 7 for 13 from the field, including 4 for 5 from behind the arc.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:  
• Franklin Pierce shot 37% from the field (23 for 61). St. Michael's shot 44% from the field (23 for 52)   
• Franklin Pierce shot 33% from behind the arc (6 for 18). St. Michael's shot 36% from behind the arc (8 for 22).   
• Franklin Pierce shot 68% from the free throw line (13 for 19). St. Michael's shot 69% from the free-throw line (9 for 13).   
• Franklin Pierce had 33 rebounds, 18 points off turnovers, and 22 points in the paint.
• The Purple Knights had 22 points in the paint and 14 turnovers. 

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS:  
• The Franklin Pierce Ravens hit the road to Manchester, New Hampshire, to face off against their intra-state rival, Southern New Hampshire, on Sunday, March 3, in the second round of the NE-10 Playoffs, with tip-off TBD.