Photo Courtesy: Bill DiLillo Photography
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Southern Vermont College women's basketball team ended its 2009-2010 season with a loss against Lesley University Saturday 68-45 in New England Collegiate Conference action. The Mountaineers were led by sophomore guard Joa Claircius who scored 14 points, including 2-of-5 from three-point range, in the game. Claircius grabbed six rebounds and had four steals, three blocks, and two assists
Hailee Lowe scored a game-high and season-high 28 points with 16 rebounds to lead Lesley to a 15-8 (14-2 NECC) record to end the regular season. The Lynx wrapped up the number two seed for the NECC playoffs and have earned a bye through to the semifinals. Southern Vermont ended their 2009-2010 campaign with a 3-22 (2-14 NECC) mark.
Lowe struggled somewhat in the first half with just eight points as the Lynx and Mountaineers played to a 24-24 tie going into halftime. The senior, however, found her stroke in the second half with 20 points and finished game shooting 12-of-22 from the floor. Lowe added four steals, three blocks, and two assists to her totals in an impressive overall performance.
Fellow seniors Jodi Fralick and Georgia Saltzman also reached double-digit points with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Fralick scored nine of her 11 in the first half, but also added seven rebounds, six assists and four steals at the point guard position. Saltzman forced three turnovers, grabbed two rebounds, and registered a block in her final home game.
Claircius also tallied six of Southern Vermont's 25 turnovers in the game. The Lynx took advantage of the Mountaineer miscues converting those turnovers into 24 points. Lesley also dominated points in the paint, outscoring Southern Vermont 30-10.
Mountaineers freshman forward Christie Henry added eight points and seven rebounds in the game as the second leading scorer for her team.
Lesley's Erika Hill came off the bench to score eight points on a flawless 3-of-3 from the field, including two made three-pointers.