Franklin Pierce Rebounds 
at UMass Lowell, 67-50
Leedham sisters share the spotlight 
as Ravens end two-game skid

LOWELL, Mass. (February 3, 2007) – Franklin Pierce, ranked sixth in this week’s NCAA Division II Northeast Regional poll, snapped a two-game skid with comfortable 67-50 victory at the University of Massachusetts Lowell this afternoon.

            Franklin Pierce sisters Jennifer and Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy) combined for 36 points to lead the way to victory. Johannah, a freshman, scored 17 of her 18 points in just 17 minutes in the first half to go with four rebounds, four steals and three assists. She hit 5-of-9 shots from the field, including 3-5 from three-point range, and converted 5-6 free-throw attempts. Jennifer, a sophomore, split her 18 points evenly between the two halves, adding five rebounds, three steals and two assists.

            Sophomore Toby Martin (Wayne, Maine/Maranacook) added a season-high nine points, aided by 6-7 shooting at the free-throw line, to go with three rebounds, while senior Nicola Dalton (Danbury, Conn./Ridgefield) chipped in a game-high nine rebounds and six points.            

Sophomore Revital Carmon (Bat-Yam, Israel) led UMass Lowell with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and a 5-6 effort at the free-throw line, to go with seven rebounds (four offensive) and four assists in 21 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Shaina Berry (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) added eight points, on 4-6 shooting, and three rebounds, while sophomore Jen O’Rourke (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) chipped in seven points and six boards.

            Franklin Pierce scored the first eight points of the contest, including a pair of three’s from Johannah Leedham to open the scoring, and built an 11-point lead (33-22) at the break. The Ravens opened the second half with a 16-2 run to grab a 49-24 advantage and never let UMass Lowell within 20 until the final minute. Jennifer Leedham sparked the decisive surge with seven points, while junior Josie Lidke (Chaska, Minn./Chaska) added four points.

            Franklin Pierce shot 42-percent (21-50) from the field on the afternoon, including 9-of-21 (42.9%) from three-point distance, and converted 16-of-20 (80%) free-throw attempts. UMass Lowell shot 39.1% (18-46) for the contest, including 7-19 (36.8%) in the first half, and hit just 11-of-24 (45.8%) free-throw attempts. The River Hawks connected on just 21.4% (3-14) from beyond the arc, making just 1-6 (16.7%) in the second half. 

            Franklin Pierce (16-7, 12-6 NE-10) is back in action on Tuesday when it visits Bryant University, ranked ninth in the region, at 5:30 p.m. UMass Lowell (8-14, 4-14 NE-10) hosts Stonehill College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

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