ORANGEBURG, N.Y. (November 19, 2021) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team suffered a narrow defeat against Caldwell University, 66-63, in neutral-site, non-conference play at Dominican (N.Y.) on Friday night. Trailing by seven to start the fourth, the Ravens cut the gap all the way to one late, but were unable to finish the comeback. Senior Emma Carter (Bristol, Vt.) and junior Sammi Gallant (Ipswich, Mass.) got off three-point attempts on the final possession, as Franklin Pierce looked to force overtime, but neither could get their shot to fall. Carter led all players with 23 points in defeat.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 3-1, while Caldwell University improves to 3-1. 

Franklin Pierce shot 39.3% from the field (22-for-56) in the losing effort and mixed in 25 turnovers as well. At halftime, Caldwell held a three-point lead (34-31), as the Cougars erased a 20-13 first-quarter deficit with a 21-11 second period.

Caldwell shot 40.7% from the field (24-for-59) in the win. The Cougars were only 12-for-20 from the free-throw line (60%), and a pair of late misses allowed the Ravens the looks to tie on the final trip up the floor. Franklin Pierce posted a 47-28 advantage in rebounds, including a baker's dozen of offensive boards, but were only able to cash in 12 second-chance points.

Both teams struggled behind the arc, as Franklin Pierce was 4-for-22 from three-point range (18.2%), while Caldwell was 6-for-18 (33.3%). Despite being on the wrong end of a 25-16 turnover margin, the Ravens actually held a 14-11 edge in points off of turnovers, as Caldwell's inability to capitalize on mistakes nearly cost the Cougars the game.

Leading the scoring for the Ravens was Carter, who had 23 points on 6-for-12 shooting and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. Senior guard Rylee Skinner (Leominster, Mass.) added 16 points on a 6-for-7 from the field. Carter snagged a game-high 12 rebounds to finish off her double-double.

Meanwhile, the Cougars were led by senior Paula Dits and junior Casey O'Shaughnessy, with 19 points apiece on 6-for-14 and 7-for-16 from the floor, respectively. Junior forward Rebecca Morrison added 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting, which included a three-point shot with 40 seconds to play which wound up standing as the game's final dagger. Dits narrowly missed a double-double with a team-best nine rebounds.

The Ravens wrap up their weekend at Dominican on Saturday, when they take on the host Chargers at noon.