CRAWFORD AND RAMONAS LEAD PRIDE PAST OWLS 69-52

CRAWFORD AND RAMONAS LEAD PRIDE PAST OWLS 69-52

WESTON, Mass.- The Regis College women's basketball team defeated Westfield State University Friday night at Teresa Higgins Gymnasium by the score of 69-52. The Pride played in its third game of the season and moves to 2-1 overall, while the visiting Owls drop to 2-4 in their sixth game of the season.

The first half opened with back and forth scoring drives by both squads. The Pride would take advantage on offense and go up by as many as five 11 minutes into the first half under the keen shooting of senior Stephanie Crawford (Rockland, Mass.). This lead was short lived as the Owls settled down on defense and caused two quick turnovers to eventually cut the Pride lead to two.
Jen Ashton capped a 5-0 run by the Owls just under the five minute mark in the first period to give the Owls the lead at 24-19.  This would be the last time the Owls controlled the lead in the game as the Pride went on a 11-2 run that was lead by the strong rebounding and shooting abilities of sophomore Claire Ramonas (Portland, Maine.). Ramonas's eight points and five rebounds in the first period helped the Pride enter the half with a 30-26 lead.
In the second period the Pride continued to add to its lead by going up by 12 in the first four minutes of play. The Owls Courtney Kegresse put the potent Pride offense on hold as she hit a deep three point shot to help settle the tempo of the game in favor of the Owls. This slow down would not last for long as the tandem of Crawford and Ramonas combined for six points to put the Pride up by 16 and garner the second highest lead of the day. Kegresse however would continue to test the Pride defense along with fellow teammate Jen Ashton. The pair finished to combine for 28 points on the day.
 
The two standout performers for the Pride were Ramonas and Crawford. Crawford finished the day with 21 points by going 13 for 14 from behind the penalty stripe and made four of six field goals for the Pride. Ramonas compiled a solid stat sheet by grabbing a double-double on the day. She took down 11 boards and racked up 12 points.
Regis will play in the championship game of the Pride Invitational Tournament against the winner of Tufts-Saint Joseph's (Me.) on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The Owls will play in the consolation game of the tournament against the loser of the Tufts-Saint Joseph's match up at 1:00 p.m.