SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - Feb. 13, 2008- Junior center Lauren O’Connor (Valhalla, N.Y.) piled up game-highs of 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots to power the Springfield College women’s basketball team to a 74-47 victory over New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Mildred Howard Gymnasium. With the win, Springfield completed the season sweep of the Lyons.

All five starters reached double digits in the scoring column for the Pride, who shot a sizzling 54.4% (31-57) from the floor and recorded 27 assists on 31 made baskets. Senior guard Tara McCarthy (Bristol, R.I.) tallied 14 points, seven boards and five assists, while junior forward Corey Finch (Hanover, Pa.) added 14 points and five rebounds. Springfield also received a boost from first year guard Rachelle Walker (Lee, Mass.), who finished with 12 points and a game-best six assists. She was responsible for four of her team’s nine three-pointers. Senior guard Christine Cotter (Stoughton, Mass.) rounded things out with 11 points and six rebounds.

Mount Holyoke was limited to 31.0% (18-58) shooting from the field and 8.3% (1-12) from beyond the arc. Sophomore center Kate Shafir (Newton, Mass.) paced the Lyons with 12 points. Classmate Erin Cain (Quincy, Mass.) totaled 11 points and four

rebounds, while senior forward Marisa Barone (Ludlow, Mass.) chipped in with seven points and seven boards. Springfield raced out to a 22-6 edge eight minutes into the opening frame and led 43-20 at the break. The Pride continued to dominate after the intermission, leading by as many as 30 points (56-26) following a conventional three-point play by McCarthy at the 15:15 mark. A Shafir jumper sliced the deficit to 21 points (61-40) with just over six minutes remaining in regulation, but the Lyons would get no closer.

Both squads are slated to resume league play at home on Saturday. Mount Holyoke (4-17, 1-9 NEWMAC) will host Smith College at 2:00 p.m., while Springfield (12-9, 7-3 NEWMAC) will welcome Clark University at 3:00 p.m.

published: 02/13/2008