Turnovers Prove Fatal for Nighthawks

The Newbury College Nighthawks dropped a tough game to the Gators of Pine Manor College tonight in Brookline, MA.  Leading by a score of 28-25 at the half - due predominantly to outstanding rebounding and a 71.4% three-point field goal percentage - Newbury let the momentum slip as they committed 14 turnovers in the second half allowing Pine Manor to come away with the 62-53 victory.

Timely shooting and tenacity on the boards tells the Nighthawk story in the first half.  Newbury was 5-7 from the three-point line as Ashley Monteiro (Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge & Latin) and Morganna Machado (Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) recorded two and Katelyn Mark (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) added one three-pointer of her own.  On the defensive end of the court, Jessica Graus (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) and Kendra Bannister (Stafford, VA/Brook Point) shut down many of the Gators second-chance opportunities recording five and four defensive rebounds, respectively.

Newbury's happy ending would not come tonight, however, as Pine Manor pulled ahead in the second half led by Amanda Dennis (Haverhill, MA/Whittier Technical) who recorded a total of 20 points and 13 rebounds - 11 and nine of which came after halftime.  Following close behind her was Stacie Beauford (Baltimore, MD/Old Mill) who put up ten of her 16 total points in the second half, as well.  The Gators were able to score 11 points off turnovers, as the Nighthawks lost the ball 14 times - surrendering their momentum entirely.

The Nighthawks were led by Machado and Monteiro who finished with 19 and 13 points, respectively and also received a solid performance from captain Mark who added nine points and ten rebounds, playing the entire 40 minutes of tonight's contest.

Newbury takes on their first conference opponent of the season on Saturday, January 10, 2009 as the play host to Lesley University at 6:00 PM.