Lady Hawks Squeak Past Eastern Nazarene
Leicester, Mass.- Despite scoring a game high 24 points, Christine Tucker (Antioch, CA.) and Eastern Nazarene fell to Becker College 71-68 in women's basketball action.
In the first half, Becker had a ten point lead with just over 11 minutes remaining, until Christine Tucker scored 10 of the Crusaders next 16 points, cutting the Hawks lead down to 2. Tucker carried Eastern Nazarene with 14 first half points. Beth Pion (Enfield, CT.) was just as impressive scoring 11 points along with 10 rebounds.
Victoria Sontag (Mount Vernon, NH) gave Eastern Nazarene their only lead of the first half when she hit a jumper to open the game. Sontag didn't waste any time giving the Crusaders their 2nd lead of the game, as she drained a jumper 55 seconds into the 2nd half. Eastern Nazarene extended their lead to as much as 7, only to have the Hawks battle right back. Rachel Pinak (Cheektowaga, NY) hit back to back jumpers, putting Becker with in 3. The Hawks cut the Eastern Nazarene advantage down to 1, but the Crusaders refused to quit. Victoria Sontag continued to be a thorn in the Hawks side, as she hit two free throws and a jumper, putting Eastern Nazarene in front by 5. The Crusaders were ahead by 3, until Beth Pion was fouled while attempting a lay-up. The ball fell into the net, and the Hawks had a chance for a three point play. Pion nailed the free throw, as the Hawks tied the game at 59 with just over 4 minutes remaining. The two teams continued to battle back and forth until Shannon Tibbetts (Warren, MA) hit a jumper with 2:49 remaining, putting the Hawks up for good. Courtney Fiske (Westfield, MA.) hit two late free throws to secure the Hawks 3rd straight win.
Victoria Sontag and Beth Pion each finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, to earn a double-double. Pion now has two double-doubles on the season for the Hawks. Sontag earned her first double-double of the season for the Crusaders. Rachel Pinak led Becker with 18 points. Jessica Schoppee (Scarborough, ME) added 17 points for Eastern Nazarene.
Eastern Nazarene fell to 3-6 on the year. The Crusaders will travel to Connecticut College on Thursday. Becker improved to 4-4 on the year. The Hawks will host New England Collegiate Conference rival Elms College on Saturday.
