EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — The Stonehill women’s basketball team used a decisive second quarter to defeat Central Connecticut 71-53 in a Northeast Conference game Thursday night at Merkert Gymnasium. The game was tied 18-18 after the first quarter before the Skyhawks outscored the Blue Devils 20-13 in the second period to take control. Stonehill’s interior dominance was key, outscoring Central Connecticut 52-28 in the paint and holding a 14-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kiyah Lewis led all scorers with 21 points for Central Connecticut. Brooke Paquette paced Stonehill with 18 points and six assists, while Julia Webster added 12 points and four assists. Stonehill improved to 5-9 overall. Central Connecticut fell to 0-14.

EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — The Stonehill Skyhawks used a dominant second-quarter surge and a commanding performance in the paint to pull away from the winless Central Connecticut Blue Devils for a 71-53 victory in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Merkert Gymnasium. The game’s pivotal stretch arrived in the second period. After a tightly contested first quarter ended in an 18-18 deadlock, Stonehill seized control with a 20-point quarter, holding Central Connecticut to just 13. The Skyhawks opened the frame with a 7-0 run, punctuated by an Amaya Dowdy hook shot and free throw, to establish a lead they would not relinquish. Central Connecticut’s offense, which shot just 3 of 13 from three-point range for the game, went cold, managing only two field goals in the first six minutes of the quarter. Stonehill’s interior defense and ability to convert Central Connecticut’s nine first-half turnovers into 13 points fueled the separation, sending the Skyhawks into halftime with a 38-31 advantage. Stonehill’s offensive execution was defined by efficiency near the basket. The Skyhawks outscored Central Connecticut 52-28 in the paint, capitalizing on 14 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points. They shot 47.7% from the field overall, compared to Central Connecticut’s 42.9%, and posted an offensive rating of 98.9 points per 100 possessions, significantly better than the Blue Devils’ 78.1. Brooke Paquette led Stonehill with a versatile 18-point, six-assist performance, orchestrating the offense and contributing three steals. Julia Webster provided a critical interior presence with 12 points, four assists and a blocked shot, while Ella Pelletier added 12 points and a game-high four offensive rebounds. The Skyhawks’ balanced attack saw Breana Delaney score 11 points and Dowdy add nine off the bench. For Central Connecticut, Kiyah Lewis delivered a game-high 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting, adding five steals. Lucia Noin contributed 10 points and five assists, and Jessica Farrell finished with 11 points. However, the Blue Devils were hampered by 15 turnovers and a stark disadvantage on the glass, being out-rebounded 41-28 overall. Their inability to generate consistent offense outside of Lewis, coupled with just two made free throws on four attempts, prevented any sustained comeback attempt. Central Connecticut showed brief resistance early in the third quarter, closing to within four points after a Lewis three-pointer, but Stonehill answered with a 9-2 run to restore a double-digit cushion. The Skyhawks maintained at least a nine-point lead throughout the fourth quarter, extending it to as many as 18 in the final minutes as the Blue Devils, who played only seven players, faded down the stretch. The victory improves Stonehill’s record to 5-9 overall and 1-2 in NEC play. The Skyhawks will look to build momentum when they travel to face Chicago State on Saturday. Central Connecticut, still seeking its first win, falls to 0-14 overall and 0-3 in the conference. The Blue Devils return home to host Le Moyne on Saturday, hoping to break a losing streak that now spans 14 games. The announced attendance was 102.

EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse difficult starts to the season will meet Thursday when the Stonehill Skyhawks host the Central Connecticut Blue Devils in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup at Merkert Gymnasium. The game pits a struggling Central Connecticut squad, still in search of its first win, against a Stonehill team looking to snap a recent skid and build momentum in conference play. Central Connecticut (0-13) enters on a 13-game losing streak dating to last season. The Blue Devils are coming off a 51-70 loss at New Haven on Sunday. Lucia Noin leads the team, averaging a solid all-around line of 12.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists over her last five games. In the loss to New Haven, she posted 12 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jessica Farrell added a team-high 17 points and seven rebounds in that contest. Stonehill (4-9) has lost four straight since its last victory, a 74-68 win at Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 19. The Skyhawks fell 59-62 at home to Wagner on Sunday despite a 21-point effort from guard Brooke Paquette. Paquette has been a consistent offensive force, scoring 15 or more points in five of her last six outings, including that season-high 21-point performance. The matchup represents a critical opportunity for both programs. For the visiting Blue Devils, it is a chance to finally break into the win column and gain confidence. For the Skyhawks, protecting their home court against a winless opponent is paramount to stopping their negative streak and improving their 4-9 record. The teams are scheduled to meet again in just over two weeks, on Jan. 24 in New Britain, Connecticut. Thursday’s tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST at Merkert Gymnasium on the Stonehill College campus.