THE BASICS:

- Score: Assumption 67, LIU Post 59

- Record: Assumption (8-3), LIU Post (5-7)

- Location: Worcester, Mass. (Laska Gymnasium)

The Lead: Assumption held LIU Post to just 31 points through three quarters and extended its lead as high as 26 points in the final quarter on the way to the team's seventh straight victory, 67-59 over the Pioneers on Thursday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- Assumption held LIU Post scoreless for the first four minutes, jumping out to an 8-0 lead. The Pioneers responded with a 9-2 run, however, the Hounds countered with the final seven points of the period to grab a 17-9 advantage through one quarter.

- In the second, Assumption continued to assert itself defensively and eventually took a 29-15 lead on a Teneya McLaughlin (Milford, Conn. / Joseph A. Foran) layup at 4:18. Each team scored just one basket over the final four minutes for a 31-17 lead at the half.

- LIU Post went on a run to close within nine, 33-24, just three minutes into the third. Kelly Carey (Long Beach, N.Y. / Holy Trinity) ended the run with a triple and Allison Stoddard (East Lyme, Conn. / East Lyme) followed with another as Assumption outscored the Pioneers 22-7 over the remainder of the period for a 24-point lead heading to the fourth.

- In the fourth the Hounds eventually stretched their lead to 26, 64-38, on a Jordan Hawkins (Glen Burnie, Md. / Glen Burnie) free throw at 5:43. LIU Post did make a late run, as Kylie Garrett connected on five shots from beyond the arc in the last four minutes to provide the final eight-point margin, 67-59.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Assumption shot 44.8 percent for the contest and went just 8 of 24 from downtown while LIU Post made 40.0 percent of its shots and was 9 of 23 from beyond the arc.

- The Hounds were outrebounded 35-31, but grabbed ten offensive rebounds and record nine steals while forcing 21 turnovers.

- McLaughlin scored a game-high 16 points on 8-for-12 shooting, to go with five rebounds and four assists. Stoddard was the only other player in double figures, with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists.

- Morgan O'Donnell (Easton, Mass. / Ursuline Academy) added five points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench, while Shayla Hubbard (Laconia, N.H. / New Hampton Prep) chipped in two points and five boards.

- Garrett led LIU Post with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Sasha Patterson had four points, three steals and 13 rebounds.

UP NEXT:

- Assumption returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 4, when the team travels to face AIC on the road at 5:30 pm.

STAY CONNECTED:

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