Stonehill goes for program win No. 1,000 at Le Moyne in nine days
 
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (January 11, 2025) – Stonehill College will enjoy a nine-day break atop the Northeast Conference standings following a 61-50 victory over Long Island University in NEC women's basketball action at Steinberg Wellness Center this afternoon.

Senior Sharn Hayward led Stonehill's balanced offensive effort that saw four Skyhawks in double-figures with 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 4-for-10 from three-point range as the Skyhawks have opened Conference play with four straight wins after passing their first NEC road test of the season. Hayward added three assists and three rebounds for the afternoon, while sophomore Brooke Paquette (Hudson, New Hampshire/Bishop Guertin) filled the boxscore with 13 points, connecting on 3-of-5 three-pointers, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Postgrad Kylie Swider and freshman Megan Sias rounded out Stonehill's double-figure scorers with 11 points apiece. Swider added eight rebounds and a blocked shot as she made 5-of-10 shots from the floor, while Sias chipped in four boards in her 20 minutes off the bench for the Skyhawks. Senior Maureen Stapleton pulled down a season-high matching 11 rebounds in her 100^th career game played for Stonehill and dished a team-high six assists with six points and a steal.

 

Paquette contributed 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals (PHOTO BY Jim Pierce)

Junior Sirviva Legions and freshman Brianna Mead combined for 30 points to lead LIU. Legions finished with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, three assists, and three steals, while Mead added 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting, three rebounds, and two steals. Junior Dia Denes followed with six points, six rebounds, two assists, and two blocked shots for the Sharks.

Stonehill got off to a fast start that mirrors its first 4-0 start in Conference play in 12 years, opening a ten-point lead (24-14) behind 52.9-percent shooting (9-for-17), including 4-for-8 (50%) from three-point range. Hayward had nine points in the quarter, draining a pair of three-pointers, while Swider contributed seven. The duo combined to score the Skyhawks last 11 points of the frame as Hayward buried a three and then Swider scored three-straight points before Hayward capped the quarter with a three-point play that sent the Skyhawks into the second quarter with the double-digit lead.

Stonehill extended its run to 16-4 early in the second quarter to open a 15-point lead (31-16) after four straight points from Paquette. The Skyhawks lead grew to 17 (37-20) with two Stapleton free-throws with 35 seconds to play before the half. Stonehill settled for a 15-point cushion at the intermission (37-22), but Paquette opened the third quarter with a three-pointer to stretch the advantage to 18 (40-22) less than a minute in.

Stonehill's lead extended to 20 (46-26) with a Sias layup midway through the third quarter, but LIU roared to life behind its full-court pressure. The Sharks scored 12 straight points, including eight off turnovers, to close back inside double digits (46-38) after a Mead floater with 40 seconds to play in the quarter.

Hayward steadied Stonehill with a three to restore an 11-point lead (49-38) heading to the final quarter. The teams traded baskets over the first three minutes of the final frame, but LIU pulled to within six (51-45) after baskets from Legions and Mead off Skyhawks turnovers with six minutes still to play. Hayward drained another three and Paquette scored with a spin move inside to answer for Stonehill and reclaimed its double-digit lead (56-45) with four minutes left.

Denes scored at the other end for LIU with 3:50 to play. After neither team was able to score for almost two minutes, Sias sealed the victory with a three-pointer with 1:55 to play to push the lead to 12 (59-47) which proved to be enough. 
 
Noteworthy

Up Next
Stonehill (8-9, 4-0 NEC) will enjoy its perfect start to NEC play with a nine-day break before it looks to clinch its milestone win at Le Moyne College next Monday, January 20, in Syracuse, New York, at 5:30 p.m. The Skyhawks next home game is on Thursday, January 23, to host FDU at Merkert Gym at 7 p.m. LIU (4-13, 1-3 NEC) visits Saint Francis University next Saturday at 4 p.m.

Tickets for home Stonehill basketball games can be purchased in advance online at stonehillskyhawks.com/tickets.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and check out its all-new website, powered by Sidearm Sports, at stonehillskyhawks.com.