Junior Tara Bligh netted a career-high 21 points to lead the Ravens against Southern New Hampshire

Franklin Pierce Rallies Past Southern N.H., 72-62
Bligh sparks rally and leads Ravens from six-point halftime deficit

RINDGE, N.H. (December 21, 2002) - Junior guard Tara Bligh (Milton, Mass./Milton) netted a career-high 21 points to lead Franklin Pierce to a 72-62 victory over Granite State rival Southern New Hampshire University in Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball action at the Franklin Pierce Fieldhouse this afternoon.

Bligh netted 17 second-half points to help Franklin Pierce emerge from a six-point (33-27) halftime deficit. She hit nine-of-14 from the field (1-1 three’s) and 2-2 at the line to go along with four assists and three steals.

Trailing 50-45 with 9:31 to play in the second half, Bligh sparked an 8-0 run over the next three minutes as she netted six-straight points for the Ravens.

After Southern New Hampshire junior Sara Scott hit a jumper to give the Penwomen a 54-53 lead, Bligh hit a jumper to put the Ravens up for good with 4:37 to play, then continued to spark a 10-2 run with a lay-in and a three-pointer over the next three minutes. Franklin Pierce canned 8-10 free throws in the final 1:25 to ice the victory.

Senior Jennifer Webster chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals in the win

Senior Jennifer Webster (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) chipped in 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Ravens, while sophomore Patricia Lang (Monroe, N.H./Saint Johnsbury Academy) totaled eight points, seven boards (four offensive), four assists and four steals.

Scott led SNHU with 12 points and four rebounds, while junior Colleen Quinn added 11 points. Freshman Glhansy Bonhomme chipped in ten points and four boards.

The Penwomen were hampered by 26 turnovers, while Franklin Pierce turned the ball over just 12 times. SNHU shot 54.8-percent (23-42) from the field for the contest, including a 61.9% (13-21) effort in the opening half (6-11 three’s). The Ravens rebounded from a 37.9% (11-29) shooting effort in the opening 20 minutes with a 46.4% (13-28) rate in the second half.

Franklin Pierce (4-3, 2-3 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday, December 28, when it faces host Bryant College for a Conference battle on day one of the Bryant Christmas Tournament, in Smithfield, R.I., at 1:30 p.m. SNHU (3-5, 0-5 NE-10) is off until the New Year, when it travels to Syracuse, N.Y., to face Le Moyne College on Friday, January 3, at 5:30 p.m.

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