Southern Connecticut’s women’s basketball team secured a solid victory over Franklin Pierce, winning 61-40 in an NE10 matchup. This win highlighted the contrast in their seasons: Southern finished strong at 21-5 overall and 16-2 in the conference, while the Ravens wrapped up at 2-25, with a 1-17 conference record.
Hope Fox shined for the Owls with 14 points and four steals. Tish Blackwood followed closely, contributing 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Rheyna Steinauer also made her mark with 11 points and five boards.
The game started with Franklin Pierce taking an early 5-0 lead. However, the Owls quickly found their footing with contributions from Rheyna and Taeya Steinauer. By the end of the first quarter, they led 14-13 after a late run.
In the second quarter, Fox helped extend the lead with two free throws. The Ravens fought back, but a late surge from Southern, including a strong performance from Blackwood and Steinauer, gave them a 33-24 advantage at halftime.
The Owls continued their momentum into the third quarter, pushing the lead to 37-27. They finished the quarter with a 14-2 run, increasing their dominance.
Despite a brief rally by the Ravens in the final quarter, Southern responded with a 10-2 run of their own. Key contributions from Fox, Martin, and Blackwood solidified the victory at 61-40.
With this win, the Owls are set to enter the 2026 NE10 Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament as the #2 seed, ready to face #7 seed Adelphi.
Looking at the broader context, the Owls’ performance reflects a trend in women’s basketball where teams with strong defensive skills often thrive. Recent statistics show that teams with high defensive efficiency have a better chance of advancing in playoffs. This makes the Owls’ focus on defense crucial as they head into the tournament.
As the tournament approaches, fans are buzzing on social media, sharing excitement and predictions for the upcoming matchups. The energy around the community is palpable, driving more support for the young athletes.
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