EASTON, MASS. (February 8, 2025) – Graduate student Kylie Swider (Portsmouth, R.I.) recorded her fourth consecutive double-double to lead Stonehill College women's basketball to a Northeast Conference win over LIU, 58-50, at Merkert Gymnasium Saturday afternoon as the Skyhawks celebrated their annual Alumnae Day.
 
Leaders

Swider posted her team-leading eighth double-double of the season, recording game-highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds in the win. Swider went 9-of-16 from the field with three assists, three blocked shots, and a steal. This was Swider's 11th double-digit rebounding performance of the season and the third time she reached at least 15 boards.
 
Senior Sharn Hayward (Penguin, Tasmania) scored in double figures for the fourth straight game, tallying 18 points, making six of her 15 shot attempts and four of her 12 three-point attempts. Hayward notched five assists and three rebounds in 36 minutes played.
 
After earning an NEC Prime Performer nod last week for an 18-point outburst at CCSU, sophomore Brooke Paquette (Hudson, N.H.) continued to score for the Skyhawks, tallying 13 points to go with three assists and a rebound on a 50% (5-10) shooting day.
 
The Sharks were led by Sirviva Legions, who made five of her 10 shot attempts while going 7-of-12 from the free throw line, totaling 17 points, nine rebounds, and two steals for LIU.
 
How it Happened

An early 10-2 run for the Sharks gave them a 12-7 lead in the first quarter, but Stonehill ended the frame strong, scoring the final six points to lead 13-12 after one.
 
LIU responded with the first seven points of the second quarter, building its largest lead of the game, 19-13. Stonehill would tie the score at 21, thanks to six straight points from Swider, and she would break the tie with another mid-range jumper that put Stonehill in front, 23-22. LIU would go into the halftime break with a 26-25 lead after Legions sunk a long, two-point jump shot at the buzzer.
 
Hayward went without a three for the first 20 minutes of action but found the touch in the third quarter, knocking down four consecutive threes to start the frame, giving Stonehill a 39-36 advantage. The Sharks regained the lead, 40-39, but a Hayward driving layup gave the Skyhawks a lead they wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the game.
 
A three-pointer from freshman Megan Sias (Toms River, N.J.) got things going in the fourth quarter, and Stonehill never looked back. Stonehill outscored the Sharks 13-8 in the fourth, securing a 58-50 win at Merkert Gym.

Noteworthy

• Swider scored in double figures for the eighth straight game and 15th time this season. She also collected 10+ rebounds for the 11th time as she recorded her league-leading eighth double-double of the season.
• Hayward scored in double figures for the 31st time in her career and team-leading 19th time this season, as she's scored at least 10 points in 14 of the last 15 contests. 14 of her 18 points on Saturday came in the third quarter.
• Paquette reached double-digit points for the second straight game, marking the 13th time she's done so this season.
• Stonehill outrebounded LIU 39-31, including 15-8 on the offensive glass. The Skyhawks assisted on 18 of their 23 made baskets.

Up Next

• Stonehill women's basketball (10-12, 6-3 NEC) heads back out on the road for a pair of Pennsylvania matchups next week, taking on Saint Francis (9-14, 7-3 NEC) on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. in Loretto before playing Mercyhurst (8-14, 5-6 NEC) on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. in Erie.

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

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