NORTON, Mass., February 18, 2006 - Springfield College senior forward Courtney Parvin (Brackney, Pa.) and freshman center Lauren O'Connor (Valhall, N.Y.) each added 20 points, but Wheaton College defeated the Pride, 85-73, in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular-season finale for each team this afternoon at Emerson Gymnasium.

Despite the loss, senior center Erin Schwartz (Milford, Conn.) became SC's new all-time shot-blocking leader, as she registered two blocks this afternoon against the Lyons. Schwartz now has exactly 201 blocks in her stellar four-year career as a member of the Pride, surpassing Janna Dietz (1999-2003), who ended her career with an even 200 rejections.

Wheaton's Bri Smith led all scorers in the game with 25 points, as Krystin Hickey added 24. The Lyons raise their record to 14-11 overall on the season and 6-7 in NEWMAC action. Casey Sorbara had a solid game for Wheaton with a double-double of 10 points and 11 assists.

To go along with her 20 points, senior co-captain Courtney Parvin led all players with nine rebounds. O'Connor scored 20 off the bench, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, while going 7-of-12 overall from the field. Sophomore guard Christine Cotter (Stoughton, Mass.) was the only other player in double-digits for the Pride, scoring 12 points to go along with four rebounds and two blocks.

SC falls to 19-6 overall, while ending its regular-season with a 12-1 mark as the Pride was looking to become just the second women's basketball team in NEWMAC history to go through a conference regular-season unscathed. Nevertheless, SC will next host a NEWMAC Tournament quarterfinal contest on Tuesday evening, February 21, as the top-seeded team in the tourney. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m., and SC will either play Wheaton, Coast Guard, or Wellesley in its first round contest.

published: 02/18/2006