EASTON, Mass. (December 2, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team concluded their three-game week with a 71-36 loss to Northeast-10 Conference opponent Stonehill College on Saturday afternoon at the Merkert Gymnasium. The setback drops the Ravens record to 4-5, 1-4 NE10 while the Skyhawks fly to 5-1, 4-1 NE10.

Jemma Thacker (Nairne, South Australia) scored 10 points for FPU to go along with three rebounds and two assists. Claudia Tucci (Trumbull, Conn.) matched Thacker with a team-best 10 points and came down with one board. Sophia Holmes (Oakland, Maine) chipped in six points and a squad-high six boards. Starting senior Diondra Woumn (Lynn, Mass.) tallied four points and five caroms.

Stonehill, who is currently ranked no. 7 in the most recent D2SIDA East Region Media Poll, was led by senior forward Samantha Hyslip who tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Gabrielle Reuter recorded a double-double as well with 11 points and 11 boards. Teammate Kelly Martin led all players with 14 points and seven assists.

Hyslip started the scoring in the contest by collecting an offensive board and putting the rock up for a second chance layup. Guard Kelsey Shaw extended the lead by burying a corner jumper to increase the lead to 4-0. Thacker broke the Ravens 0-for-3 shooting start by coming off a screen and connecting on a catch and shoot trey from the right wing as the Crimson and Grey trailed 4-3.

Stonehill led by five before Holmes drained a step-back jumper from the left baseline with the shot clock expiring as the Ravens cut the deficit to one possession, 10-7. Following a split at the line by Reuter, Holmes took another mid-range jumper and converted the shot dropping the Stonehill lead to 11-9. The Skyhawks notched the final five points, but it could have been more if not for two steals off the press for the Ravens. Stonehill led 16-9 after the first quarter.

Thacker checked back into the game after two early fouls and her presence was felt immediately as the senior guard sank another three as FPU trailed 16-12. Following the three-point conversion, Stonehill went on a mini 6-0 run with Martin contributing four straight points and a block which led to a Courtney Walsh lay-in. After a Raven timeout, Stonehill tallied seven consecutive markers to lead 29-12. Freya Cooney (Woodbridge, England) stopped the scoring binge by converting a line drive shot from just inside the three-point line on the right wing. The hosts racked up the final four points of the period to lead 33-14 at the halfway point.

In the third quarter following a Mya Mosley (Worcester, Mass.) steal from Walsh, Thacker and Cooney used a pick and roll which left Cooney open at the free throw line for an easy field goal conversion. The Ravens trailed by 15, 35-20 as the Skyhawks took a timeout. Stonehill out-produced the Ravens 16-6 over the remaining minutes of the quarter to hold a 51-26 advantage.

The Ravens return home to the friendly confines of The Fieldhouse on Tuesday when they welcome NE10 opponent Merrimack College for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens ), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's basketball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).