Southern Connecticut stops Greyhounds women's basketball with late hoop in Northeast-10 Conference action

January 3, 2009

Southern Connecticut 72, Assumption 71

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Senior guard LEXI ALLEN (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) hit a baseline jumper with two seconds left to lift Southern Connecticut State University defeated Assumption College, 72-71, in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action SATURDAY at the Laska Gym.

The Owls also got a superb effort from freshman guard ALEX FIOLA (Fall River, MA/Durfee), who scored a season- and career-high 29 points.

Sophomore forward MOLLY GRIFFITHS (Walpole, MA/Ursuline Academy) led the Greyhounds with 17 points and five rebounds, while junior guard LESLIE LUPIEN (Pomfret Center, CT/Woodstock Acadmey) (14 points) and junior forward KAYLA PARKER (Sanford, ME/Sanford) (10 points) also reached double figures.

The Greyhounds were in front 28-27 after senior guard/captain BETHANY PLASSKI (Fall River, MA/Durfee) (9points, 7 rebounds) hit a jumper in the lane with 5:43 remaining in the first half. Southern Connecticut however would outscore the Greyhounds, 20-8, to halftime to move to a 47-36 advantage at the break. Fiola (19 points) and Allen (12 points) combined for 31 points on 12-for-17 accuracy from the floor.

After the Owls sophomore guard LOGAN LENTZ (Chambersburg, PA/Chambersburg) hit a three-pointer with 8:19 left in the game to make it 67-57 the Greyhounds came alive with a 10-0 spurt to tie the game with 3:05 left.

Plasski made two free throws, Lupien made a short lane jumper and Griffiths converted an inside move for a layup to make it 67-63. Another layin by Lupien and then two free throws by Parker tied the game.

A free throw by senior guard ALLYSON SMITH (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton) put the Owls back in front however Griffiths countered with a inside move for a one-point Hounds lead at 69-68 with 2:24 left. Lupien then made another move to the basket with 1:26 left to give Assumption a three-point cushion, 71-68, with 1:26 left.

A jumper by junior forward JACQUELINE JOHANNES (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) made it 71-70 setting the stage for Allen's late heroics.

The Greyhounds are now 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference, while Southern Connecticut moves to 5-7 and 2-5.

Assumption plays next at conference rival Pace University Tuesday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m. before coming back to the Laska Gym Thursday, January 8 to host American International.

Click here for ASSUMPTION-SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT box score