SPRINGFIELD, Mass., February 17, 2007 – Springfield College sophomore center Lauren O’Connor (Valhalla, N.Y.) pulled down a season-high 16 rebounds and scored a team-best 16 points for her 10th double-double of the season as the Pride downed Wheaton College, 73-66, in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action this afternoon at Blake Arena. The game was both team’s 2006-2007 regular-season finale.

With the victory, its fourth straight, SC improves to 14-11 overall and 9-4 in NEWMAC play. Wheaton College drops to 9-4 in league action and 16-9 overall. In the upcoming NEWMAC Tournament which start on Wednesday evening, February 21st, the Pride will represent the third seed and host No. 6 Babson College, and the Lyons will be seeded fourth and host No. 5 Clark University. Game times will be announced later.

SC sophomore forward Liz Brosseau (Franklin, Mass.) came off the bench to add 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals in the win. She enjoyed a perfect shooting day, going 5-for-5 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Junior guard Tara McCarthy (Bristol, R.I.) chipped in with 11 points and a game-high eight assists. Senior tri-captain Caitlyn Cuthberston (Assonet, Mass.) was crucial down the stretch for the Pride, scoring nine points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor.

The Lyons were led by senior forward Kim McCormack with a game-best 19 points and seven steals. Junior guard Becky Aitchison recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Bri Smith dropped in 15 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

SC opened the contest on a 12-6 run capped by a jumper from O’Connor at the 15:13 mark. The Pride maintained its cushion throughout most of the first half. With a 27-23 lead and just 5:35 left before halftime, SC mounted a 14-6 run to take a 12-point advantage (41-29) into the locker room.

In the second half, Wheaton responded with an 11-5 run to pull within six (46-40) at the 13:09 mark. After a Pride timeout, SC pushed its lead back to 10 (54-44) with 9:18 left in the game off a lay-up from freshman guard Amanda DiPaolo (Garrison, N.Y.). The closest the Lyons would come to tying the game came at the 1:25 mark when Aitchison nailed a three to make the score 65-61. The Pride responded once again, however, making all four of its free throw attempts down the stretch to ice the contest, 73-66.

published: 02/17/2007