BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Southern Vermont College women's basketball team put five players in double-figures on Tuesday night against visiting Daniel Webster. But even that kind of balance couldn't save the Mountaineers from a critical tipping point.

Holding a 10-point lead late in the first half, SVC was whistled for a technical foul that helped key a 9-0 run by the Eagles - who essentially ran the show from there en route to a 78-68 victory over the Mountaineers.

Southern Vermont (5-11 overall, 3-4 New England Collegiate Conference) struggled with a relentless full-court press by Daniel Webster (9-7, 4-3), and allowed its emotions to take command at a time when cooler heads may have prevailed.

"I thought the turning point of the entire game was the technical foul," SVC head coach Ben Kozik said. "We were in control at that point, and after that we lost it. There's no excuse for that."

While the T undoubtedly played a part in the Mountaineers' unraveling, the inability to solve the Eagles' press was just as significant. During the eight-plus-minute stretch that the Eagles pressed during the second half, SVC committed seven of its 31 total turnovers.

"We have to play with more control," said Mountaineer senior Markeisha Mullen, who racked up 12 points and eight rebounds, but also eight turnovers. "We have to take our time, and set up plays better. Too much of the time, we act like the ball is a Hot Pocket."

Daniel Webster head coach Heather Jacobs said that the decision to switch into the press was less a reaction to the Mountaineers' ball handling than it was a flexing of her roster muscle.

"We're deep; that's one of our strengths," Jacobs said. "We like to mix it up defensively."

Kayla Whitman led the Mountaineers in scoring with 18 points, but also matched Mullen with eight turnovers. Backcourt mate Joa Claircius added team-highs of six assists and seven steals to her 10 points, but also turned the ball over seven times.

The game saw the return of SVC forward Rachel Pannell, who scored six points (on 3-of-3 shooting from the field) and pulled down four rebounds. But Pannell was also the culprit on the critical technical foul, saying afterward that keeping her emotions in check was difficult in the heat of the moment.

"I just got a little excited, and it must have been my body language because I didn't really say anything," Pannell said. "I have to try and make sure that I help the team instead of hurt the team."

Mullen - the primary beneficiary of Pannell's inside presence - said that the sophomore returnee has little to worry about in that regard.

"I'm glad to have her back, because we need another person down low," Mullen said.

SVC also got a lift in the paint from sophomore Tiarra Hall, who scored 11 points (nine in the first half), and played with noticeable fire.

"Tiarra really came out tonight and gave it her all," Mullen said. "She hustled, rebounded well and put back a bunch of shots that I missed."

Daniel Webster put six players in double figures, led by guard Vanessa Bosques' 18 points (including 4-of-4 from three-point range).

SVC's 10-point lead in the first half was its largest of the game, while Daniel Webster largest edge was 16 points on two occasions in the second half. The Mountaineers ended the game on a 14-8 run capped by a steal and fast-break layup by Whitman, but by then time had run out on a comeback.

The Mountaineers will try to rediscover their winning ways on Thursday, when the team travels to Boston for a 6 p.m. tilt with NECC-foe Lesley.