Ravens conclude amazing 2009-10 season with a 32-2 record

ST. JOSEPH'S, Mo. (March 24, 2010) -- The second-ranked Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team dropped a tough 79-64 decision to sixth-ranked Fort Lewis on Wednesday night in the NCAA Division II Final Four at the Civic Arena in St. Joseph's, Mo. Despite the loss, Franklin Pierce had an amazing 2009-10 season and finished with an impressive 32-2 record -- the most wins in a single season in program history.

Senior standout and 2010 State Farm/WBCA Division II National Player of the Year Johannah Leedham (Ellesmere Port, England) concluded her brilliant career with 13 points in her final game. She finished with 3,050 points for her career, which ranks first all-time in NCAA Division II women's basketball history and fifth across all divisions in the sport.

Junior guard Cynthia Gaudet (Coventry, R.I.) dropped in a game-high 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the floor. Gaudet also had five rebounds and five assists. Sophomore center Jewel White (Worcester, Mass.) battled through foul trouble all night and finished with six points and 10 rebounds -- her second-straight double-figure rebounding game.

Four Skyhawks scored in double-figures, including Alison Rosel (22 points), Laura Haugen (19 points), Katie Mackey (11 points) and Abby Jackson (10 points).

Franklin Pierce held a 14-10 lead with 14:19 remaining in the first half after Gaudet laid in a basket.

However, Fort Lewis went on a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to grab a 24-16 lead. The Skyhawks would never trail the rest of the way.

Fort Lewis built a 40-29 lead at halftime and came out with more strong shooting in the second half. The Skyhawks went on an 8-1 run over the opening three minutes to take a commanding 48-30 advantage.

Franklin Pierce cut the deficit to 11 late, but it wasn't enough as Fort Lewis advance to the national title game on Friday night versus either Gannon or Emporia State.

Fort Lewis shot 54 percent (28-of-52) from the floor, while Franklin Pierce shot 33 percent (21-of-63). The Ravens did outrebound the Skyhawks by a count of 35-33.

The 2009-10 season saw many memorable highlights for the Ravens. The team won the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament titles for the second-straight season and captured the NCAA East Regional title for the third time in as many seasons. Franklin Pierce began the season with 23-straight wins and on Jan. 5 earned the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the USA Today/ESPN WBCA Division II Top 25 Poll. Franklin Pierce also picked up a thrilling 77-73 win at Bentley in front of a national television audience on CBS College Sports Network.

For more information on Franklin Pierce women's basketball, please visit the team's page at athletics.franklinpierce.edu(.)