New Haven women's basketball stops Greyhounds, 80-74, in Northeast-10 playoff

March 1, 2009

New Haven 80, Assumption 74

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Senior forward LAUREN HOOD (Ashland, MA/Ashland) scored a game-high 22 points with three three-pointers to lead University of New Haven women's basketball past Assumption College, 80-74, in the first-round of the Northeast-10 Conference playoffs SUNDAY in the Laska Gym.

The Greyhounds, who finished their season at 15-13 overall, were led by their senior guard/captain BETHANY PLASSKI (Fall River, MA/Durfee) who finished with 20 points and four three-pointers. Freshman forward KELLY MEREDITH (Franklin, MA/Franklin) added 14 points and junior guard LESLIE LUPIEN (Pomfret Center, CT/Woodstock Academy) had 12 points in support roles.

New Haven burst out front 9-0 in the early going and the Greyhounds did not catch up until Lupien dropped in a 15-foot jumper from the left of the foul line with 3:39 left to tie it 67-67. New Haven built their first-half lead to as many as 15 points (26-11) following a layup by freshman forward NIKKI CARROLL (Oswego, NY/Oswego) (15 points 9 rebounds) with 10:43 left.

A layin by Plasski, two free throws by junior forward KAYLA PARKER (Sanford, ME/Sanford) and a three-pointer by Plasski brought the Greyhounds to within two points (41-39) with 41 seconds left in the half. Junior forward LINDSAY SALT (Hauppauge, NY/Smithtown West) made a three-pointer with three seconds left to make it a five-point game at the half.

New Haven opened the second half with a 16-9 run to move it back to a 12-point advantage (60-48) with 11:28 left. Sophomore guard NICOLE POLLARD (Swansea, MA/Joseph Case) made two free throws at that point.

After Carroll made one of two free throws with 8:33 remaining to make it 63-52, the Greyhounds went on another mini-surge, this time 15-4, to tie the game at 67-67.

Sophomore guard THERESA AMELIO (Bronx, NY/Preston) drilled a wing three-pointer followed by two free throws before Lupien scored nine points to key the rest of the spurt. However, New Haven answered as sophomore guard DOMINIQUE STELLMACHER (New Britain, CT/New Britain) put the Chargers back in front to stay with a driving layup and then Salt converted the next trip with lane jumper to make it 71-67.

The Hounds' senior guard/captain TRISH GARDNER (North Dartmouth, MA/Dartmouth) (9 assists) then drained a top-of-the circle three-pointer to make it 71-70.

Salt and Meredith traded hoops before Salt drained a long three-pointer with 1:04 left to make it 76-72. Gardner's inside move cut it to two points, but junior guard HELIN MARTE (Woodhaven, CT/Richmond Hill) (12 points, 7 rebounds) made a layin and senior guard BRIIANA RENDE (Augusta, ME/Cony) added a pair of free throws to ice it.

New Haven is now 16-12 and plays next in the quarterfinal round at Bentley University TUESDAY at 7 p.m..

Click here for ASSUMPTION-NEW HAVEN box score