01/22/2009
Women's Basketball Falls to Eastern Connecticut State, 72-57

WORCESTER, MASS. 1/22/09 - Eastern Connecticut State University used a balanced offense to defeat Clark University, 72-57, in non-conference women's basketball action at the Kneller Athletic Center on Thursday night.

Eastern Conn., which picked up its fourth straight win, improved to 13-2 overall. Clark dropped to 6-10.

Senior Kate Brunet (Bristol, Conn.) had 20 points to lead the Warriors. Senior Nicky Morey (Columbia, Conn.) added 19 points, while classmate Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Senior Christina Amato (Marlboro, Mass.) dished out a game-high nine assists.

Clark also had three players in double-figures. Senior Sarah Roderigue (Oakland, Me.) registered 19 points; freshman Ivori Aiken (Harlem, N.Y.) had 13 points, and senior Sara Hagstrom (Yarmouth, Me.) contributed with 10 points and six assists. Junior Jillian Camilleri (Lancaster, Mass.) grabbed a game-best 13 rebounds.

With the score knotted 6-6 in the opening minutes of the game, Eastern Conn. used a 17-2 burst to take a 23-8 lead and built a commanding 30-20 halftime advantage.

Brunet had 13 first-half points to lead the Warriors.

The Cougars outscored Eastern Conn., 15-9, to open the second half to pull within five (35-40) at 15:13. Freshman Kate Minister (Manchester, England) had six points during the uprising and Hagstrom capped the run with a driving lay-up and free-throw for a three-point play.

Eastern Conn.'s Morey scored on the next possession to regain a seven-point lead (42-35), but a lay-in by Aiken brought the Cougars within reach once more. However, the visitors ignited on a 10-0 run, including consecutive trey's by Amanda Pierlioni (Plainville, Conn.), to lead 52-37 with 11:46 remaining and cruised the rest of the way.

Clark, which held a slim 47-45 advantage on the boards, struggled from the field, hitting 20 of 55 shots (36.4%) and committing 22 turnovers.

Clark will be back in action on Saturday against NEWMAC foe Coast Guard Academy at 1 p.m.