LYNDONVILLE, Vermont - Sami Ireland's second double-double of the season led the Husson University women's basketball team (14-7, 11-0 NAC) past the NVU-Lyndon Hornets (7-14, 3-8 NAC), 62-52 on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Eagles remain a perfect 11-0 in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play. 

IN THE ACTION:

The Eagles and Hornets set out on a defensive battle for the opening 6:32 of the game. Alissa Mitchell put two on the board for the home team before Emma Alley responded with a basket of her own to tie the game, 2-2. Neither team was able to sink a shot behind outstanding defensive play on both sides, led by Bailey Donovan who registered a blocked shot and a steal in the gridlock. Megan Peach would connect a pass from Joan Overman to put the Eagles ahead, 4-2 with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter. The Hornets would strike back as Lea Crompton went 2-2 from the charity stripe to tie the game at nine. Nicole Tapparo sank a shot from under the basket to send the Eagles into the break with an 11-9 advantage. 

Cassie Urso would extend the Eagles lead to ten in the second quarter, but NVU-Lyndon would answer. Faith Poirier's shot from behind the arc would bring the Hornets within four with 2:31 to go in the half. The Eagles offense continued to bring the heat as they took a 31-26 lead into the locker room. 

The green and gold added an eight point boost to their lead (46-38) behind an Ireland jumper, before Saleena Porter hit a shot from within the paint to chip into the Eagles lead. Alisha Celley added a jumper of her own as the third quarter ended with the visitors carrying a 46-42 advantage into the final frame of play. Celley brought the Hornets within a possession to open the fourth quarter, before back-to-back three-pointers from the sophomore duo of Sydney Allen and Alley bumped the Eagles lead to ten, 54-44, with 6:41 to go. Ireland would give the green and gold their largest lead of the day on a lay-up made possible from a Vanessa Duarte steal in the the Eagles defensive end. NVU-Lyndon would come within eight as Shaylan Mosher would sink a jumper with 26 seconds left in the game, but a 2-2 performance from Alley at the free throw line would seal the deal for the Eagles, who head home from Vermont with a 62-52 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Ireland posted her second double-double of the season, scoring 16 points while adding 11 rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in the Eagles' victory.

• Celley led the Hornets with 18 points, six rebounds and a block in the loss.

• Alley chipped in 12 points, two assists, two rebounds as well as two steals.

• Mitchell recorded six points, five steals, five assists and two rebounds for the Hornets.

• The Eagles held a 50-25 advantage in rebounds, while shooting 50% from behind the arc compared to the Hornets' 31.3%.

UP NEXT!
The Eagles will close out the non-conference portion of their schedule as they make the trip to face the Mules of Colby College on Tuesday, February 11th for a 5:30pm game.