DOUBLETREE TIP OFF CLASSIC
Franklin Pierce Cruises Past Saint Thomas Aquinas, 76-53
Jo. Leedham nears triple double 
in Raven victory

COLCHESTER, Vt. (November 18, 2007) – The Franklin Pierce University women’s basketball team coasted to a 76-53 non-conference victory over Saint Thomas Aquinas College on day two of the Doubletree Hotels Tip Off Classic, hosted by Saint Michael’s College, at Ross Sports Center this afternoon.

            Sophomore All-American Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) came within two assists of notching her first career triple double, leading Franklin Pierce with a game-high 21 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and four steals – posting her first double-double of the season (11^th career). She hit 9-of-17 shots from the field, including 2-4 from three-point range.

            Junior Jennifer Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)) added 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals, while classmate Vanessa Power (Mildura, Australia) collected 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, burying 4-5 from beyond the arc.            

Franklin Pierce shot 49.2-percent (31-of-63) from the field on the afternoon, including 50% (15-30) in the second half – hitting 4-8 (50%) from three-point range. The Ravens posted a 32-10 advantage in points off turnovers and a 38-18 edge in points in the paint.

            Junior Claire Wilson (Boonton, N.J./Morris Catholic) led STAC with 13 points and eight rebounds (four offensive), shooting 5-of-8 from the field, including 3-4 three-pointers. Senior Takiyah Ingraham (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Poughkeepsie) added 11 points, eight rebounds, five steals and three assists, while junior Raven Brinkley (Rego Park, N.Y./Christ the King) chipped in ten points, eight rebounds and two steals.

            The Spartans were held to 29.8-percent (17-for-57) shooting from the field, including 20.7% (6-29) in the first half.

            Franklin Pierce (2-0, 0-0 NE-10) opens its home and NE-10 schedule on Tuesday when it hosts Assumption College, in a rematch of last year’s NE-10 Tournament first round battle, at 5:30 p.m. STAC (0-2, 0-0 ECC) hosts Felician College on November 28 at 5:30 p.m.  

Boxscore and Play-by-Play