Franklin Pierce Earns First National Ranking
Ravens debut at 25^th 
in USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II poll

RINDGE, N.H. (December 18, 2007) – For the first time in program history, Franklin Pierce University appears in the USA Today/ESPN Division II poll, by the Women’s Basketball Coaches of America (WBCA), released this afternoon.

           Franklin Pierce, which debuts in the national Top 25 at 25^th, is off to a 9-1 start for the first time in the program’s NCAA Division II era (since 1988-89). The Ravens are tied for first place in the Northeast-10 Conference standings at 6-1 with 16^th-ranked Stonehill College. Franklin Pierce is one of three NE-10 teams in the top 25, joining Stonehill and 10^th-ranked Southern Connecticut State University, and one of four in the region nationally-ranked with Holy Family University (Pa.) coming in at 13^th.

"We are excited to be in a position that involves some national recognition," said Franklin Pierce Head Coach Mark Swasey, in his sixth year at the Raven helm. "But in no way is this particular group of players going to be satisfied with it. With all the great teams that Franklin Pierce had in the 80's-90's, I'm amazed to learn this is the first time in the top 25, it certainly speaks to the respect our conference has at a national level as well as the respect this program is developing." 

Franklin Pierce is led by the sister combination of Johannah and Jennifer Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England/Cheshire Academy (Conn.)). Johannah, a sophomore All-American, ranks among Northeast-10 leaders in most statistical categories, averaging 22.9 points (2^nd), 7.4 rebounds (8^th), 4.3 assists (5^th) and 4.2 steals (1^st) per game, shooting 54.4-percent from the field (2^nd). She led Franklin Pierce in scoring in nine of the Ravens first ten games of the season, and has led the Ravens in rebounding seven times, assists six times and steals eight.

           Jennifer, a junior captain, is averaging 12.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists (7^th NE-10) and 2.6 steals (6^th) per game. She is shooting 50-percent (45-for-90) from the field (8^th) and has converted 10-of-11 (90.9%) of her free-throws so far this season.

           Junior Vanessa Power (Mildura, Australia) is making a key contribution off the bench for Franklin Pierce, adding 7.6 points, while shooting 51% (26-51) from the field, including 47.6% (20-42) from three-point range (4^th NE-10).

           The Ravens lead the Northeast-10 in scoring defense (53.1 ppg), scoring margin (+19.4/gm), field goal percentage (.466), steals (14.2/gm) and forced turnovers (25.8/gm). The Ravens are also ranked second in assists (17.1/gm) and turnover margin (+4.6), third in scoring (72.5 ppg), three-point field goal percentage (.346) and rebound margin (+3.5) and fourth in field goal percentage defense (.354) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.291).

            "We have a lot of basketball left to play, with the toughest stretch of our schedule still ahead," said Swasey. "This is another good motivator for us to continue improving our focus on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor."

Franklin Pierce, seeking its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1999, is back in action on Saturday, December 29, when it visits Pace University for a non-conference clash at 2 p.m. The Ravens return home on Tuesday, January 8, to host preseason NE-10 favorites Bentley College at 5:30 p.m.