HAWKESWORTH'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE LEADS PRIDE TO 67TH STRAIGHT CONFERENCE VICTORY

WESTON, Mass. – Sophomore forward Amanda Hawkesworth (Abington, Mass.) scored 19 points and snagged 14 rebounds as the Regis College Women's Basketball team earned their 67th consecutive New England Collegiate Conference victory with a 77-61 win over Newbury College on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Pride improve to 15-5, 13-0 NECC and with the setback the Nighthawks drop to 6-14, 5-8 NECC.

Hawkesworth had an outstanding day at the free-throw line as she converted 13-of-14 (92.8%) attempts. Her efforts in the paint and at the charity stripe resulted in recording her 10th double-double of the season while also scoring in double-figures in six straight contests. Hawkesworth is averaging 22.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game over the six game span.

First year forward Destiny Spears (Arnold, Md.) opened the contest with a quick lay-up to put the Nighthawks out in front early. However the lead was short-lived as the Pride responded two minutes later, grabbing the lead which they would not relinquish. The Nighthawks hung around for first 10 minutes of the game never trailing by more than two possessions but Hawkesworth was red-hot. Before the 10-minute mark of the first half, the South Shore native already recorded a double-double, going a perfect 12-for-12 from the charity stripe.

Regis dominated the low-post, outscoring Newbury, 22-10 in the paint. In addition, the Pride recorded 23 second chance points off 16 offensive rebounds as they took a commanding 47-24 lead into half-time.

When the teams emerged from the locker rooms at the start of the second period, the Pride continued to keep their foot on the accelerator, offensively. Four minutes into the half, senior guard Teresa Busiek (Arlington, Mass.) connected with fellow classmate Emilee Marro (Bedford, N.H.) for a fast-break lay-up to give the Pride their largest lead of the game, 57-28, to that point.

The Nighthawks did not back down and continued to chip away at the deficit. Junior guard Jovanna Sandifer (Boston, Mass.) knocked down one-of-two from the charity stripe cut the Pride lead to 19 with under 10 minutes remaining in the game. But it was not enough to stop the high-power Pride offense as they were able to cruise to the win.

In 22 minutes off the bench freshman forward Brittany Stone (W. Bridgewater, Mass.) scored 17 points while corralling seven rebounds. Emilee Marro added 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Janaya Bradley (New Haven, Conn.) also scored in double-figures with 12 points while also grabbing seven rebounds and handing out four assists.

Leading the way for Newbury was freshman forward Destiny Spears, who scored a career-high 29 points. Junior guard Katelyn Roeser (Nashua, N.H.) added 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting.

Regis held the advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Nighthawks by a 52-27 margin.

The Crimson and Gold return home to Higgins Court on Wednesday, February 11th when they welcome conference rival Becker College for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off. Newbury will head out on the road on Wednesday when they travel to Bay Path with game-time set for 8:00 p.m.

Release courtesy of Newbury College Sports Information