Manchester, N.H. (January 26) -- Trailing by as many as 15 points early in the second half, Saint Anselm used a 30-13 run to take a lead with under four minutes remaining and held off Assumption for a 62-53 victory on Tuesday night in Northeast-10 Conference play at Stoutenburgh Gym.

The free throw line was a key to the game as the Greyhounds outscored the Hawks by an 11-1 margin in the first half, en route to building a 29-18 lead at the half. Saint Anselm trailed for most of the opening period, but did cut the lead down to five at 23-18 following a three-pointer from sophomore guard Epiphany Smith (Springdale, Ark.). A quick 6-0 spurt over the final 3:31 though carried the visitors into the half with the double-digit lead. 

In the second half, the Greyhounds continued to pour on the offense and with 18:54 remaining, held a 15-point lead. The Hawks held Assumption to just four points over the next eight minutes though and narrowed the lead down to four midway through the half following a three by senior Erin Higgins (Mansfield, Mass.).

Saint Anselm tied the game on a free throw by Courtney May (Lakeville, Mass.) with 4:11 left and took the lead on a May layup at 48-46. Assumption kept the game within reach the rest of the way, but 12 free throws by the Hawks kept the Greyhounds from regaining the lead.

Smith led the Hawks with 22 points, includuing four three-pointers and four assists. May added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds as well. Three Greyhounds were in double figures, led by 14 points from Gabrielle Gibson and 13 points from Katy Howard. Kayla Parker also added 10 points and six rebounds. In the second half, Saint Anselm outscored Assumption by a 20-2 margin at the free throw line.

With the win, Saint Anselm improves to 8-11 overall and 5-9 in Northeast-10 play, while Assumption falls to 10-9 overall and 8-6 in the league. Saint Anselm is back in action on Saturday afternoon, traveling to American International for a 2 p.m. start.