ERIE, Pa. (March 9, 2026) – The Stonehill women's basketball team fell on the road to Mercyhurst by a score of 70-64 at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center in the NEC Quarterfinals Monday evening.

The Skyhawks conclude their season 12-18, while the Lakers move to 15-15.

STONEHILL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ella Pelletier tallied a career-high 27 points, shooting 11-of-19 from the field, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Pelletier, who earlier in the day was honored on the NEC All-Rookie Team, also grabbed six rebounds.
   
• Julia Webster scored 11 points and handed out a career-best eight assists.
   
• Brooke Paquette, who was tabbed to the All-NEC First Team on Monday, added 11 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. She finishes her junior year with 1,062 points, good for 33rd in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Ella Pelletier scored six early points for the Skyhawks, as Stonehill led, 10-6, through the first four minutes of play. Pelletier then nailed back-to-back three-pointers to up the Skyhawk advantage to 16-6, as the freshman guard scored 12 points in the first opening six minutes. Stonehill shot 57.1 percent from the field (8-of-14) in the first quarter to carry a 20-11 lead into the second.
 

Later in the half, the Lakers cut the deficit to 29-27, but Stonehill went back up by two possessions to head to the break up four, 31-27. Pelletier had 14 points in the first half, going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.

In the third, Stonehill held a 37-36 lead at the media timeout at the 4:59 mark, Pelletier added another bucket to five the Skyhawks a three-point edge. After Mercyhurst tied the game, 40-40, the Lakers took their first lead of the game, 43-42, with 1:24 remaining in the quarter.

The teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers opened up a 57-50 advantage following the final media break. With 2:31 left, Pelletier drained another triple to bring Stonehill back within four, 59-55. Mercyhurst pulled away late to hold on for the victory.

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