Manchester, N.H. (February 21) -- After rallying to tie the game late in the second half, the Saint Anselm women's basketball team dropped a 63-56 final to Saint Michael's on Saturday afternoon at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

The Purple Knights opened up a 9-3 lead just 4:29 into the game and pushed that lead to 20-7 midway through the first period. Saint Michael's held a seemingly comfortable 30-16 lead with 4:17 left in the first half before the Hawks answered with an 11-0 run to close to within 30-27 with 1:53 on the clock. The Saint Anselm run was keyed by six points from freshman forward Megan Howard (St. Paul, Minn.). A quick 5-0 spurt to close the half though by the Purple Knights made it a 35-27 game at the break. Howard and Justine Lyons (Reading, Mass.) led the Hawks, while Logan Pintka (Niskayuna, N.Y.) had nine points for Saint Michael's.

With Saint Michael's up 44-33 with 15:40 left, the Hawks went on a 15-4 run over the next 4:41 to tie the game at 48-48 after a layup from Howard. The Purple Knights managed to get the lead back to five points, but Courtney May (Lakeville, Mass.) scored inside with 6:35 left to get the Hawks back within one at 55-54. Neither team scored over the next three minutes until Michelle Otey (Southborough, Mass.) extended the Purple Knight lead to three at 57-54. Saint Michael's sealed the game at the free throw line in the final minutes for the sweep of the season series.

Howard led the Hawks with 18 points and 13 rebounds, her 17th double-double of the season. May also posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jennifer Gureckis (Nashua, N.H.) was the other Hawk in double figures with 12 points. Three Purple Knights finished in double figures, led by a 12-point effort from Alexis Keller (Harrington Park, N.J.).

With the loss, Saint Anselm falls to 4-22 overall and 2-19 in the Northeast-10, while Saint Michael's is now 13-12 overall and 10-11 in league play. The Hawks are back in action on Tuesday, February 24th for Senior Night as the team hosts Saint Rose for a 5:30 p.m. start. Prior to the game, senior players Meredith Amyot (Ashford, Conn.) and Justine Lyons, along with team manager Leah Babin, will be recognized for their contributions to the Saint Anselm women's basketball program throughout their careers.