SALEM, Mass., November 17, 2006 - Springfield College sophomore center Lauren O'Connor (Valhalla, N.Y.) led all players with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, but it was host Salem State College which defeated the Pride in close fashion, 77-71, this evening in the first round of the 2006 Salem State College Tip-Off Tournament.

With the loss, SC (0-1) will face the loser of tonight's other first round match-up between Coast Guard and Williams College in the third-place game of the Tip-Off Tournament tomorrow afternoon (Nov. 18) at 1:00 p.m. The host Lady Vikings (1-0), who are ranked among the 'Others receiving votes' section of the D3hoops.com Preseason women's Top 25 poll, will await the Coast Guard-Williams winner for the championship game tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

Salem State started the night on a 31-13 run, taking an 18-point lead with 7:26 left to play in the first half. The Pride responded immediately, however, going on a 21-8 run to close out the opening stanza down just five points, at 39-34. At the half, SC junior guard Christine Cotter (Stoughton, Mass.) led all scorers with 10 points.

In the second half, the Pride continued to cut into the Salem State lead, closing to within one point (53-52) with just 8:53 left in regulation. SC was never able to draw even in the contest, although, as the Lady Vikings took control for the six-point season-opening victory. Cotter finished the game with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Pride, as junior guard Tara McCarthy (Bristol, R.I.) dished out a game-high eight assists to go along with nine points.

Salem State College was paced by freshman forward Danielle Jenkins (Marlborough, Mass.) with a team-best 20 points and seven boards in her first career collegiate action. Junior forward Lindsay Watkins (Wareham, Mass.) chipped in with 14 points, and junior guard Melissa Macchi (Peabody, Mass.) added 12.

published: 11/17/2006