Easton, Mass. (January 2) -- Led by 22 points from junior standout Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.), the 18th-ranked Stonehill Skyhawks defeated Saint Anselm by a 60-41 final on Wednesday night in Northeast-10 women's basketball action at Merkert Gym.

In the opening half, the Skyhawks jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead before a layup by Carleen Orawsky (Worcester, Mass.) and a jumper from Rachel Reilly (Londonderry, N.H.) cut the lead to 11-6. The two teams traded baskets through the next 10 minutes before Stonehill pushed the lead to 28-19 with 1:38 remaining in the opening period. The Hawks ended the half though on a quick 5-0 spurt on a layup from Cassaundra Thorpe (Portsmouth, N.H.) and a three-point at the buzzer by Erin Higgins (Mansfield, Mass.) and the teams headed into the half at 28-24 in favor of the Skyhawks. Thorpe led the Hawks with six points in the first half, while Simonds led Stonehill with 14 in the opening half.

In the second half it was all Stonehill as the Skyhawks started the half on a 19-6 run over the first 9:47 of the period to seize a 47-30 advantage. The lead swelled to 20 at 55-35 with 5:16 before the game ended with the 60-43 final.

Higgins led the Hawks with 11 points, including six off of layups following steals at midcourt. Thorpe joined Higgins in double figures with 10 points. Simonds led the Skyhawks with 22 points and nearly had a double-double after finishing with nine rebounds. Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.) was the other Skyhawk in double figures with 16 points in the game.

With the loss, the Hawks fall to 4-8 overall and 1-6 in Northeast-10 play, while the Skyhawks improve to 11-2 overall and 7-1 in league play. The Hawks are back in action on Friday night as UMass Lowell visits Stoutenburgh Gym for a 6 p.m. start.