Pleasantville, N.Y (December 17) -- After Pace cut the lead down to a two-point margin midway thru the second half, No. 12 Assumption responded with a 16-3 run to regain control as the Hounds defeated Pace by a 70-56 final on Saturday afternoon. The win is the first for Assumption in Pleasantville since 2003 and keeps the Hounds perfect on the season, extending their regular-season winning streak to 14 straight.

The two teams played an even opening eight minutes before the Hounds opened up a 26-19 edge with 8:36 left in the period. Assumption led by as many as eight points on two occasions, including the 34-26 halftime margin.

Assumption quickly opened up a double-digit lead and led by a 47-37 margin with 12:43 left after a layup from senior All-American candidate Kelly Meredith (Franklin, Mass./Franklin). The Setters responded in a big way though, sparked by a three-pointer from the corner by Allison Cleary, to close to within 47-45 with 11:11 remaining. The Hounds responded with a run of their own though, scoring on five fastbreak opportunities and holding Pace without a field goal for nearly eight minutes, as Assumption led 63-47 with 4:27 on the clock. The Hounds led by double digits the rest of the way as they remained one of just two unbeaten teams in the Northeast-10.

The Hounds were balanced offensively with four players in double figures, led by a 20-point effort from junior Gabrielle Gibson (Amityville, N.Y./Copiague). Meredith nearly posted a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds, along with 13 points from Katy Howard (Medway, Mass./Medway) and 10 points from sophomore forward Jamie Insel (Clinton, N.J./Voorhees).

Brittany Shields was the lone Setter in double figures with 15 points, along with a team-high eight rebounds.

With the win, the Hounds improve to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in Northeast-10 play, continuing the best start in program history. Pace has now lost two straight and sits at 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the league.

The Hounds are idle for 12 days before returning to action on Thursday, December 29th as the team plays host to NYIT in a 3 p.m. start at Laska Gym.