Photo Courtesy: Bill DiLillo Photography
BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Southern Vermont College women's basketball team fought hard but came short losing to the visiting New England Collegiate Conference Nighthawks of Newbury College 65-54 Saturday afternoon. It was senior day at SVC and forward Rachel Pannell had a double-double with a team-high 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in her final game on the Field House court. Sophomore guard Morganna Machado led Newbury with a game-high 19 points.
Southern Vermont jumped ahead early with a 7-2 run on layups from Pannell and freshman forward Christie Henry, and a jumper from junior forward Kiara Bates. A fast-break layup from Machado and a jumper by freshman center Catherine O'Connell kick started Newbury's offense. A competitive first half ensued with the two Conference teams tying the game five times until the buzzer sounded and the Nighthawks were up 31-29 at the break. O'Connell tallied 11 points in the first half for Newbury and Henry posted 10 for SVC.
The second half went to the Nighthawks as they scored 34 points behind junior guard Ashley Monteiro and Machado who each tallied 10 points. Pannell led the Mountaineer surge with 12 points but it was not enough as Newbury's lead grew to as much as 17.
Henry finished the game for the game with another double-double of 15 points and 14 boards. Bates pulled down nine rebounds and sophomore guard Joa Claircius chipped in nine points for Southern Vermont.
O' Connell had a double-double of her own with 15 points and 13 rebounds as well as blocking three SVC shots. Senior forward Rashawna Wynn had a solid performance finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Monteiro finished with 11 points and four steals to round out the Nighthawk box.
The Mountaineers fall to 3-21 (2-13 NECC) with the loss, while the Nighthawks improve to 8-11 (6-7 NECC) with the win.
The Mountaineers are back in action Saturday, February 20th, when it travels to battle NECC opponent the Lesley University Lynx at 1:00 p.m.