Franklin Pierce Edges
CARSON, CALIF. (Dec. 30, 2004) – The Franklin Pierce women’s basketball team overcame an eight-point deficit with just under four minutes remaining in the game to earn a 69-64 victory over California State University-Dominguez Hills tonight in non-conference action at the Torodome in Carson, Calif. With the win, the Ravens wrap-up their west coast trip with a two-game split. Trailing 61-53, Franklin Pierce used a 13 point run and outscored the Toros 16-3 over the final 3:55 to pick up the victory. Sophomore Mollie Stelmack (New Westminster, British Columbia/New Westminster) keyed the comeback with six points over that span, including a three-pointer that gave the Ravens a 62-61 lead at the 1:34 mark. In a game filled with runs, the Ravens took a 32-28 lead into the break. They led by as many as eight in the second half, but Dominguez Hills used a 10-1 run to go up by one point with 14:03 remaining in regulation. The Toros expanded that advantage to nine points with 5:52 left, but couldn’t hold on, as the visitors stormed ahead late in the game. Stelmack poured in a game-best 21 points, while freshman Josie Lidke (Chaska, Minn./Chaska) netted 16 points on five-of-ten shooting from the field, including four-of-seven from three point range. She also dished out a team-high four assists. Sophomore Danielle D’Ettorre (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario/St. Mary's) and junior captain Heather Jacobs (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton) led Franklin Pierce to a 40-38 advantage on the glass, pulling down eleven and nine rebounds respectively. Senior Patricia Lang (Monroe, N.H./Saint Johnsbury Academy (Vt.)) added eleven points in the Ravens sixth win of the season. Leading the way for the Toros was freshman Brittney Blankenship (Palmdale, Calif.), who totaled 14 points and eight rebounds. Classmate Alana Bailey (Altadena, Calif.) scored 13 points for Dominguez Hills, while senior Octavia Askew (Van Nuys, Calif.) posted a game-best 11 rebounds. Junior Tameka Blue (Watsonville, Calif.) added a game-high six assists for the hosts. Franklin Pierce (6-2, 3-1 NE-10) will return to action on Monday, as they travel to Pace University for a Northeast-10 Conference game beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dominguez Hills (4-4) takes the court again on Friday, January 7, when they visit California State University-Bakersfield for a conference matchup at 8:30 p.m. EST. |
