Skyhawks fall to FDU in NEC championship after impressive season

By Chris Robbins

Photo Credit: Jim Pierce

Women's basketball fell short in their NEC championship game against FDU on Sunday after an impressive season.

It was a rough start to the game for the Skyhawks, with FDU starting the game with an 8-0 run and building an early 16-2 lead. Stonehill was able to fight back in the last few minutes of the first, ending the quarter down 20-12.

The team was able to build off of their strong end of the quarter, bringing FDU’s lead down to as little as five. The Knights' offense got back on track with a 9-2 run thanks to an incredible first half from reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Year Teneisia Brown, who finished the half with 20 points, giving her team a 35-21 lead at halftime.

The Skyhawks looked energized coming out of the half with a 10-2 run, bringing the lead back down to four. The Knights' offense continued to be too much for Stonehill, as they were able to battle back once again and regain a nine-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Stonehill kept fighting in the fourth quarter, but FDU continued to shut down any attempts at a comeback. The Knights powered through till the end and secured the NEC championship with a 66-49 win.

With the win, FDU completed its undefeated season in conference play and secured themselves a date with Texas Christian University in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

While this wasn’t the end the Skyhawks were hoping for, they still had their best season since moving to the NEC. Sophomore Guard Brooke Paquette and Senior Guard

Sharn Hayward were both named to the NEC All-Tournament Team for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament.

The Skyhawks' season does not end here however, as they received an invite to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for their great performance this season. This is Stonehill’s first invite to the WNIT, and they will play their first game in the tournament on Thursday, March 20.