LEICESTER, Mass. – Lesley University junior Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) tied a season-high with 20 points while draining a career-best six three-pointers, but it was not enough to stump Becker College as the Hawks downed the Lynx 63-51 in New England Collegiate Conference action this afternoon.
The Hawks improve to a perfect 4-0 in NECC action and 4-6 overall with the win while the Lynx slide to 3-7 on the season and an even 2-2 in conference matchups.
Pereira added five rebounds and three steals to her line on the afternoon while freshman Dakota Jones (Torrance, Calif.) poured in eight points to go along with a team-high ten rebounds. Sophomore Abby Henderson (Rochester, N.H.) added six points and five boards while senior Courtney Goggin (Cheshire, Conn.) and freshman Susan Smith (Medford, Mass.) each provided four points in reserve duty.
Becker's sophomore duo of Ciara McKissick (Charlton, Mass.) and Adrianna Dowdy (East Haven, Conn.) powered the Hawks attack as they combined for 39 points and 27 rebounds. McKissick anchored the painted area and recorded a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 19 boards while Dowdy went 11-of-19 from the floor to finish with 25 points. Freshman Kelsey Maynard (Millville, Mass.) added nine points for the hosts.
The Lynx hit on 36% (19-of-52) of their shots from the floor – including 46% (7-of-15) from deep – compared to the Hawks 34% (23-of-66) effort, but Becker held a plus-20 edge on the glass and turned Lesley's 25 turnovers into 29 points.
Trailing 15-9 early in the second quarter, Lesley would use a Goggin jumper to spark an 11-5 run over the next six minutes to even the game at 20-20. Becker would respond and scored the final seven points of the half to head into the break with a 27-20 lead.
The Lynx would battle back with a strong third quarter and evened the score when Pereira drained a triple off a feed from first year Linda Wallentine (Monroe Township, N.J.) at the 4:39 mark. Again, the Hawks would finish the quarter with a run to reclaim a 40-35 advantage heading into the fourth.
Becker would carry their momentum into the final frame and pull away with a 13-2 run to stake their biggest lead of the day at 53-37 before claiming their first victory of 2017.
The Lynx will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday night when they return to their home floor and host Wheelock College in another NECC contest at 8:00p. The Hawks will also be back in conference action on Tuesday and play host to Elms College for a 7:00p tip.