The guard scores 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter in a 62-56 win over Le Moyne Wednesday night in Easton.
EASTON – There were high hopes for the Stonehill College women’s basketball team entering the 2017-18 season.
The Skyhawks returned the entire roster from a year ago and welcomed back All-Northeast-10 Conference guard Kelly Martin, who missed last season due to an injury.
“We knew this was going to be a special group with the seniors and having Kelly back,’’ said coach Trisha Brown. “We knew the potential we had.’’
Stonehill has been fulfilling that potential, getting off to a 14-2 start that has it ranked 23rd in the national Division 2 media poll.
The Skyhawks kept the winning ways going on Wednesday night, getting past Le Moyne College, 62-56, at Merkert Gym for their fifth straight victory.
Martin, of Scituate, who was hurt in a scrimmage not long before the season opener in 2016, had 10 of her 20 points in the fourth quarter when Stonehill fought off the Dolphins.
“She’s definitely playing like it’s her senior year,’’ said Brown, whose team is 10-1 in the NE-10 Northeast Division, one-half game behind Bentley. “I think we would have seen this last year the way she was playing in presesaon before she got hurt. Every possession, you can see it with her.’’
Samantha Hyslip, who reached the 1,000-point career mark on Saturday, added 17 points while Courtney Walsh scored 13 points as the three captains combined for 50 of the team’s 62 points.
“Sam, Courtney and Kelly, tonight you see why they’re our captains,’’ said Brown. “They’re poised and making plays and just did a great job.’’
Stonehill trailed after each of the first three quarters (15-10, 28-27 and 44-42).
The Skyhawks moved in front for good on a Martin jumper, which made it 50-49 with 5:16 to play. She followed that with two foul shots and a layup to increase the margin to 54-49.
Le Moyne closed within one point when Grace Carter hit a 3-pointer with 1:42 remaining, and Stonehill made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch.
Defense played a key role in the win as the Dolphins were limited to 36 percent shooting and went 5 for 15 from 3-point range.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight, but they’re a veteran team and they understand what it takes,’’ said Brown. “We grinded it out tonight and that’s OK. This time of year, I’m all right with that.
“You can see that (confidence is building). They don’t panic. We’ve been down in games. We’ve been in different situations and our veterans keep us poised.’’
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Le Moyne 72, Stonehill 51: The Skyhawks (9-8, 5-6 NE-10) were no match for the Dolphins (13-5), who lead the conference’s Southwest Division with a 10-1 record.
Le Moyne, which never trailed, shot 82 percent from the field in the first half while opening a 37-18 lead as the Skyhawks went 7 for 26 in the first 20 minutes.
The Dolphins were in control from the start, pulling away in the first half behind Isaiah Eisendorf (20 points on 8-of-11 shooting).
Stonehill, which was averaging 80.3 points per game, was held to a season low total. The Dolphins lead the NE-10, allowing just 64.9 points a game, and they showed why.
“The toughest offensive game we’ve had this season, but a large part of it is because of Le Moyne,’’ said coach Chris Kraus, whose team scored 96 points in its previous game against Southern Connecticut State. “They’re so tough. They’ve got a lot of experience, a lot of toughness and a really good defensive team.’’
Will Moreton (12 points, five rebounds, four assists) and Brandon Twitty of Randolph (11 points) were the only two Skyhawks in double figures.
After winning all five games in December, Stonehill is 2-3 in January.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,’’ said Kraus. “Our group is still trying to figure it out, how to do it consistently.
“We’re still growing, still learning. This group still has a lot still to learn. We’ve been exposed in some areas we need to take a big step forward in.’’
Le Moyne finished the game shooting 63 percent from the floor and held a 35-16 edge on the boards.