NCAA II WOMEN’S NORTHEAST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP: #18 Franklin Pierce Captures First Regional Title, 88-71
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Jo. Leedham named regional's Most Outstanding Player after netting game-high 31 points
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (March 17, 2008) - Third-seeded Franklin Pierce University, ranked 18th in this week's USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II poll, captured its first Northeast Regional title with an 88-71 victory over top-seeded and host Holy Family University, ranked 4th nationally, at the 2008 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament's Northeast Regional at Campus Center Gymnasium tonight.
Franklin Pierce (27-5, 18-4 NE-10) advances to the NCAA Division II Elite 8 in Kearney, Neb., March 26-29. The Ravens will face No. 9 University of Alaska-Anchorage (29-4), who also knocked off an undefeated team in No. 2-ranked Seattle Pacific University (29-1), 50-44, in tonight's West Region final in Seattle, Wash. Holy Family (32-1, 18-0 CACC) completes a remarkable season, having captured both the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) regular season and tournament titles.
"For us to get to this point I think is a remarkable accomplishment," said Franklin Pierce Head Coach Mark Swasey. "It speaks to the commitment everyone made at the beginning of the season."
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Sophomore All-American Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the regional as she poured in a game-high 31 points (16 first half) on 12-for-22 shooting from the field, including two three-pointers, and converted 5-of-6 free-throw attempts. She set a new single-season program record for points in a season with 727, surpassing the previous mark of 706 set by Shelia Lindsay in 1987-88. Leedham also matched her own single-season record with 165 made free-throws. She also grabbed a game-high ten rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season (17th career) and added three assists, three steals and a blocked shot.
"We didn't want to give (Johannah Leedham) easy touches with the ball," said Holy Family Head Coach Mike McLaughlin. "She cuts to the ball very well, her teammates find her and she creates so many problems for the defense. She single-handedly dominated the game, maybe not numbers-wise, but she makes everyone so much better."
Junior Jennifer Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) joined her younger sister on the regional's All-Tournament team as she added 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Senior Josie Lidke (Chaska, Minn./Chaska) finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, including 3-4 from three-point range, and converted both free-throw attempts to go with four rebounds. Sophomore Jess McPherson (Croydon, Australia) contributed 11 points, six rebounds (three offensive) and five assists, while junior Toby Martin (Wayne, Maine/Maranacook) rounded out the quartet of double-figure scorers with 11 points, draining all six free-throw attempts, to go with three rebounds and two assists.
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Junior Melissa Brooks (Levittown, Pa.) led Holy Family with 25 points, shooting 10-for-14 from the field and converting 5-of-8 free-throws, to go with seven rebounds (four offensive) and two assists to earn All-Tournament team honors. Senior Kelly Killion (Pennsauken, N.J.), joined her on the All-Tournament team and added 14 points, four rebounds and eight assists, while freshman Catherine Carr (Bernardsville, N.J.) finished with nine points, five rebounds (three offensive) and two assists.
Franklin Pierce blistered the nets at 55.8-percent (29-for-52) from the field, including 45.5% (10-for-22) from three-point range, and converted 20-of-25 (80%) free-throws. The game was tied at 38-38 at halftime, but the Ravens came out blazing in the second half, knocking down 7-of-12 (58.3%) three-pointers en route to a 53.3% (16-30) shooting from the field. Holy Family was held to 39.1-percent (25-for-64) shooting from the field, including 31.3% (10-32) in the second half, and connected on just 10-of-28 (35.7%) three-pointers. The Tigers also made just 8-of-15 (53.3%) free-throw attempts.
"We came out in the second half relaxed and put together our best half of the season," said Swasey. "We were aggressor and our team showed no fear."
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After a back-and-forth first half, the game was knotted at 38-38 at the break. Franklin Pierce came out firing out of the locker room. The Ravens scored the first seven points of the half, en route to an opening 16-7 run in the stanza to open a quick 12-point cushion (57-45) five minutes in. Franklin Pierce drained five three-pointers, two by Johannah Leedham, during the stretch.
"They moved the ball as well as anyone we have played this year," said McLaughlin. "Every team we have played this year, we have been able to determine the tempo, but they were able to do that tonight and I give them a lot of credit, they move the ball so well."
A Jennifer Leedham three put Franklin Pierce up 15 (60-45) with 13:23 to play, and they extended it to 16 points (64-48) after a Johannah Leedham jumper with 11:54 left. The Ravens kept adding on, running the lead to 20 points (71-51) after McPherson made one of two at the free-throw line with 7:28 to play.
Franklin Pierce's lead was still 20 (75-55) after a Lidke lay-up with 5:57 remaining, but Holy Family had one more burst in it. The Tigers scored eight-straight points, including three's by Carr and Killion, to draw within 12 (75-63) with 4:58 remaining. However, the Ravens answered with a 7-1 spurt over the next minute to regain an 18-point cushion (82-64), sparked by a Lidke three, with 3:23 left to seal their first trip to the Elite Eight.
"I think it's fantastic," said co-captain Jennifer Leedham. "It's a credit to the girls and the coaching staff. We've all come together this season and worked hard all year long and now we are being rewarded."