Raymond and Bramanti lead Skyhawks into Monday quarterfinal with 40 combined points

Raymond led the Skyhawks with 23 points, draining 5-of-6 three-pointers (PHOTO Bob Blanchard)

EASTON, Mass. (February 25, 2022) – Northeast Division No. 3 seed Stonehill College, ranked No. 8 in this week's NCAA Division II East Regional rankings, pulled away down the stretch to secure a 65-55 victory over Southwest No. 6 The College of Saint Rose in first round action of the 2022 Northeast-10 Conference Women's Basketball Tournament on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium tonight.

Stonehill (14-8, 12-7 NE10), the defending NE10 Tournament Champions, advances to Monday's NE10 Quarterfinal round, where it will face Southwest Division No. 2 Pace University (20-6, 14-5 NE10) in Pleasantville, New York, at 5:30 p.m. The Setters reached the quarters with a 76-64 victory over Northeast No. 7 Saint Michael's College in their first round matchup tonight. Saint Rose sees its season come to a close with a 6-17 record overall, including 5-13 in the NE10. 

Leaders

Stonehill
Kayla Raymond Senior, Forward: 23 points (7-for-12, 5-for-6 threes, 4-for-4 FTs), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots.
Emily Bramanti Senior, Guard: 17 points (6-for-14), 6 rebounds, 2 assists.
Mia Kelly Junior, Guard: 12 points (7-for-8 FTs), 4 rebounds.
Sophie Glidden Senior, Forward: 9 rebounds, 7 points. 

Saint Rose
Nina Fedullo Fifth-year, Forward: Double-double of 18 points (8-for-14), 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots.
Isabel Sanchez Sophomore, Guard: 17 points (7-for-18, 3-for-8 threes), 4 rebounds, 3 steals.
Becca Townes  Junior, Guard: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 7 steals. 

How it Happened

• Bramanti added 17 points, six rebounds and two assists (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard)

  Saint Rose got off to a quick start, leading by as much as nine (23-14) early in the second quarter after hitting 56.3-percent (9-for-16) of its shots in the first quarter.
• The Golden Knights got five-straight points from Fedullo to grab a seven-point lead (17-10) after she drained a three-pointer with 3:21 remaining in the first quarter.
• Saint Rose carried that margin into the second, led by 11 first quarter points by Fedullo, and stretched its lead to nine (23-14) after a driving layup from Townes to open the frame.
• Stonehill steadied and scored eight-straight, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Raymond, to close within a point (25-24) four minutes into the second.
• Saint Rose got a layup from freshman Ryley Blasetti to push the lead back to three (27-24), but Stonehill kept the push going and scored the final nine points of the half, including five by Kelly, to take a six-point lead (33-27) into halftime.
• Saint Rose scored the first two baskets of the second half, from Townes and Fedullo, to draw within two (33-31) after two minutes and stayed within striking distance the entire third quarter, despite falling behind by eight (43-35) after a Raymond triple with 3:26 left in the frame.
• Stonehill took a four-point lead (46-42) into the fourth and quickly reclaimed a seven-point lead (51-44) after Glidden followed a Raymond three with a layup two minutes in.
• That was the spark of a 12-1 Stonehill run to open a 13-point lead (58-45) following a Raymond three with four minutes to go that would prove to be a margin to big to overcome for Saint Rose. The Skyhawks drained seven of their next nine free-throws to seal the win.

Noteworthy

• Raymond led Stonehill in scoring in her eighth-straight game played and 12^th time this season overall, scoring in double digits for the 13^th-straight game and 18^th time this season overall (56^th career) with her seventh 20-point game of the year (21^st career).
• Raymond moved into 25^th place on Stonehill's career scoring list with 1,133 points in her 66^th career game.
• Bramanti scored in double figures for the 16^th time this season (29 career).
• Glidden led Stonehill in rebounding for the fourth time this season as the Skyhawks improved to 7-2 over her career when she does so.
• Kelly posted her seventh double figure scoring output of the season and career.
• Saint Rose took advantage of Stonehill's 23 turnovers to record a 20-9 advantage in points off.
• After connecting on 56.3-percent of its shots in the first quarter (9-16), Saint Rose was limited by Stonehill to 32.9% (23-70) shooting overall, including 5-for-20 (25%) from three after hitting 3-of-5 (60%) threes in the opening ten minutes.
• Stonehill finished shooting 42.6% (20-47) from the floor, including 7-for-12 (58.3%) from deep, after making just 6-of-16 (37.5%) of its shots in the first quarter.

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