Johannah Leedham just misses triple-double with 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists; becomes NE-10's all-time leader in field goals made in women's hoops history

BOXSCORE 

RINDGE, N.H. (February 6, 2010) - The No. 1 nationally-ranked Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team ran its winning streak to 21 games in a row on Saturday with a 92-75 win over Southern New Hampshire in The Fieldhouse in Rindge. An estimated crowd of 506 were on hand to see the Ravens improve to 21-0 overall and 17-0 in the Northeast-10, while also watching the team sweep the two-game regular season series from the Penmen (11-13, 7-10 NE-10). Franklin Pierce downed SNHU, 78-66, back on Jan. 2 in Manchester.

Senior standout Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England), who was named England Basketball's Women's National Player of the Year on Friday, just missed logging a triple-double with 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocks. The 33 points gave Leedham 2,686 for her career, as she creeps closer to the 2,700 mark. Leedham's first field goal of the game also gave her the all-time record in Northeast-10 women's basketball history for career baskets made. Her 11 field goals on Saturday gave her 905 for her brilliant career.

Junior guard Cynthia Gaudet (Coventry, R.I.)  tossed in 22 points on an impressive 9-of-13 shooting from the field. She also handed out eight assists and swiped two steals. Sophomore center Jewel White (Worcester, Mass.) continued her strong play as of late as she came off the bench to throw in 13 points and rip down eight boards. She also totaled two steals and two blocks. Senior guard Kirsten Doldoorian (Brimfield, Mass.) also provided strong play off the bench as she had nine points, three rebounds and two steals.

Sloane Sorrell pumped in 25 points to pace the Penmen, while Erin Baldwin had 13 points in a reserve role.

Both teams shot very well from the floor as the Ravens converted 51 percent (36-of-70) of their shots, while SNHU shot 50 percent (30-of-60). The Ravens did a solid job of forcing the Penmen into 21 turnovers, which they scored 34 points off of. Franklin Pierce's 92 points in the game were a season-high.

The game was close early on as the score was tied 7-7 three minutes in. However, the Ravens score nine of the next 11 points to take a 16-9 lead with 14:15 left in the half. Leedham sparked the rally by scoring the first seven points, while freshman guard Amanda Saab (Windham, N.H.) capped it with a layup.

SNHU rallied and trimmed its deficit to three on two occasions, including at 24-21 with 10:29 remaining following a Sorrell basket.

Franklin Pierce responded and went on a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to open up a commanding 38-23 lead that would put the game out of reach as SNHU would never threaten again. Gaudet started the surge with a deep three and Leedham followed with five-straight points. Sophomore forward Marielle Giroud (Martigny, Switzerland) followed with a pair of free throws and White capped it with back-to-back layups.

The Ravens continued to build on their lead and eventually took a 51-34 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Franklin Pierce kept up the offensive intensity in the second half and at one point did hold a comfortable 72-48 lead after a layup from White. Southern New Hampshire tried to chip away but the lead was too large with not much time remaining. SNHU was able to get within 15 points as the final horn sounded, thus ending Franklin Pierce's streak of six-consecutive wins by 20 points or more.

The Ravens have won 34 of its last 35 games overall and 26-straight regular season games dating back to the end of last season. They are also 10-0 since becoming the nation's top-ranked team in the USA Today/ESPN WBCA Division II Top-25 Poll back on Jan. 5.

Franklin Pierce returns to action Tuesday night when it plays host to Saint Michael's at 5:30 p.m. in The Fieldhouse in Rindge. Fans who cannot attend the game can follow it online via audio, video and/or live stats through the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.)