BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Lesley University women's basketball team defeated Southern Vermont College 69-61 on Saturday evening to improve to 12-1 in New England Collegiate Conference play.  The Lynx move to 13-9 overall while the Mountaineers drop to 5-17 (3-10 NECC).

Hailee Lowe (Hamilton, Mass.) scored a game-high 18 points and collected six rebounds to lead the Lynx.  Twelve of her 18 came in the second half of the game. 

Complementing Lowe's effort were Brianne Caira (Pelham, N.H.) and Kaitlyn Wechsler (Merrick, N.Y.) who scored 14 and 11 points apiece. 

With Lani Cabral-Pini (Wilmington, Mass.) and Rachael O'Mara (Levittown, N.Y.) contributing nine points each, the Lesley starters scored 61 of their 69 points.

Southern Vermont got a double-double out of Markeisha Mullet (Windsor Mill, Md.) who tallied 14 point and 15 rebounds in the loss.  The senior also recorded five steals and three assists in 37 minutes on the court.  Alyssa Davis (West Burke, Vt.) also scored 14 points for the Mountaineers.

The Lynx were able to limit the second leading scorer in the conference, Joa Claircius (Clermont, Fla.), to just 13 points.  Her season average is 18.4 points per game. 

Southern Vermont pulled to within two points at 61-59 on a made jumper by Mullen with just 1:36 remaining in the game.  The Lynx proceed to go on an 8-2 run to end the game capped off by a clutch three-pointer and free throws from Cabral-Pini. 

Lesley will play at Elms College on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 6:00 pm.  The Blazers are the only team to hand the Lynx a conference loss.  Southern Vermont travels to Elms on Tuesday for a 7:00 pm game.

To learn more about the Lesley University women's basketball team, please visit their website.

Contact:          Rob Palardy
                        Sports Information Director
                        Lesley University
                        617.349.8627 (office)
                        617.349.8640 (fax)
                        rpalardy@lesley.edu