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HOLY FAMILY FALLS TO FRANKLIN PIERCE IN NORTHEAST REGION WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

March 17, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- A 13-2 in the second half proved to be the difference as third-seeded Franklin Pierce University advanced to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Elite Eight by defeating top seed Holy Family University, 88-71, in the Northeast Region Final on Monday night at the Campus Center.

After a back-and-forth first half that ended with a 38-38 tie, the Ravens came out firing in the second half, going 5-for-5 from 3-point range over the first 3:41 to extend to a 52-43 lead. With 11:54 left in the game, the Ravens' lead grew to 16 (64-48).

A jumper by freshman forward Catherine Carr got the Tigers within 13 points (64-51) at the 10:45 mark. Franklin Pierce countered with seven unanswered to take a 20-point advantage (71-51) with 7:17 to play. A Carr 3-pointer sparked an 8-0 run that pulled Holy Family with 12 points (75-63) with 4:58 to go. Again, the Ravens rallied and went on a 13-5 run to regain the 20 point cushion (86-66) with 2:12 remaining.

Sophomore forward Johannah Leedham led the Ravens with 31 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Her sister, Jennifer Leedham, and guard Josie Lidke had 15 points apiece. Leedham, a junior, also had seven rebounds and five assists. Guard Toby Martin and center Jess McPherson recorded 11 points each.

Holy Family received a career-high 25 points from junior forward Melissa Brooks. She shot 10-of-14 from the field and added seven rebounds. Senior point guard Kelly Killion contributed 14 points and eight assists, tying a season high, in her final collegiate game.

Johannah and Jennifer Leedham, Brooks, Killion and Stonehill College center Kelsey Simonds were named to the Northeast Region All-Tournament team. Johannah Leedham was selected as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Franklin Pierce improves to 27-5 overall with the victory. Holy Family, the champions of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), finish the season at 32-1 overall. This was Holy Family's first trip to the region final. The Tigers are also the first CACC team, men or women, to advance to a Division II NCAA Regional Championship game.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

F - Johannah Leedham - Franklin Pierce - Most Outstanding Player

G - Jennifer Leedham - Franklin Pierce

F - Melissa Brooks - Holy Family

G - Kelly Killion - Holy Family

F - Kelsey Simonds - Stonehill

Women's NCAA Division II Northeast Region Tournament

Quarterfinals, Friday, March 14

#2 Stonehill 67, #7 Bryant 58

#3 Franklin Pierce 66, #6 Dominican 54

#1 Holy Family 54, #8 Molloy 39

#5 Assumption 67, #4 Bentley 58

Semifinals, Saturday March 15

#3 Franklin Pierce 68, #2 Stonehill 56

#1 Holy Family 73, Assumption 49

Championship, Monday March 17

#3 Franklin Pierce 88, #1 Holy Family 71