MANCHESTER, N.H. (February 16, 2022) – It was tough sledding for the Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team Wednesday evening on the road at Saint Anselm College, particularly in the second half. Trailing by 12 at the break (36-24), the Ravens were outscored 53-27 in the second half at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium, as they dropped the Northeast-10 Conference matchup, 89-51.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 10-11 (6-9 NE10), while Saint Anselm improves to 13-11 (9-8 NE10).

The Ravens started out red-hot in the contest and jumped out to a 7-0 lead before the Hawks were forced to take a timeout. Senior Rylee Skinner (Leominster, Mass) went 2-for-2 by finishing a pair of drives at the rim, while sophomore Gisela Vazquez Segura (Igualada, Spain) found the bottom of the net with a corner three-pointer. Saint Anselm then went on a seven-point run of its own, on the backs of senior Peyton Steinman and freshman Melanie Hoyt, to tie the game halfway through the period. The teams continued to trade opportunities on the offensive end for the rest of the first quarter, but the Hawks would carry four-point lead (17-13) into the second frame, thanks to nine points in the quarter from Steinman.

As the second quarter began, Segura drained a shot from beyond the arc to cut the lead to one, but 10 straight points from the Hawks over a five-minute span restored the cushion. Senior Emma Carter (Bristol, Vt.) halted the run with a finish through traffic at the rim. Carter and fellow senior Lisa Sulejmani (Burlington, Vt.) each added points later in the quarter, but the Ravens would enter halftime trailing 36-24.

Steinman finished the first half leading all scorers with 11 points and a double-double, as she brought in 13 rebounds as well. Hoyt followed with eight points and sophomore Gabby Turco added seven. Segura finished the half leading the Ravens with eight points and also collected four rebounds, while Skinner shared the load with six points and five boards.

Sulejmani opened the scoring in the third quarter with a trip to the free-throw line, before Skinner added a basket in the opening stages as well, but a 1-for-9 start out of the intermission hurt the Ravens, while the Hawks continued to grow the lead. Hoyt collected eight points in the first half of the period to help the Hawks to a 22-point lead (49-27). Saint Anselm applied the pressure in the quarter and outscored Franklin Pierce, 26-10. Turco added another seven points, while Steinman recorded seven rebounds.

The fourth quarter brought much of the same, with a barrage of threes from the Hawks, who went 6-for-9 from long range. Junior Sami Gallant (Ipswich, Mass.) added five points and an assist in the quarter, while Segura found the basket three times for seven points in the period.

For the game, Franklin Pierce shot 31.3% (21-for-67) from the field and collected 40 total rebounds. Segura finished with 15 points, followed by Skinner with 10. Sulejmani helped out in the paint with a team-leading 10 rebounds. The Hawks were led by Turco and Hoyt with 18 points apiece. Steinman followed with 11 points, six of which came from the free-throw line (6-for-6). Saint Anselm finished at 44.9% (31-for-69) from the floor.

Next up for the Ravens is a home game on Thursday, when they host NEE10 opponent Southern New Hampshire University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse in Rindge.