WORCESTER, Mass., January 17, 2006 - Springfield College senior forward Courtney Parvin (Brackney, Pa.) scored 19 of her career-high 26 points in the second half as the Pride won its sixth-straight game, defeating Clark University, 79-68, in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest this evening (Jan. 17) in Worcester, Mass.
Parvin produced an all-around solid game for SC in its sixth consecutive win, scoring a career-best 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, as the senior co-captain connected on 3-of-6 three-point field goals and 5-of-6 free throws. Parvin also collected seven rebounds to go along with three assists and one steal.
SC finished the opening half leading 31-30 after an evenly played 20 minutes. The Pride started the second stanza on a 17-9 run to take a 48-39 lead with 14:53 left in the game, capped by a good jumper from Parvin. After a three-point field goal from Clark freshman Sarah Roderigue with just over 11 minutes remaining, however, the Cougars pulled to within three points, at 53-50.
That proved to be the closest Clark would ever come to SC for the rest of the contest, as the Pride reeled off a 13-3 run to take a 66-53 lead with 7:30 left in the game, capped off by a lay-up from freshman center Lauren O'Connor (Valhall, N.Y.). O'Connor finished the night with eight points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field to go along with six caroms and one blocked shot.
Sophomore guard Christine Cotter (Stoughton, Mass.) contributed with 16 points off the bench for SC, hitting all four of her attempts from beyond the arc. Senior center Erin Schwartz (Milford, Conn.) added a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with nine points, five assists, three blocks and two steals.
The Pride improves to 11-4 on the season and a perfect 5-0 in NEWMAC play, sitting alone in first place atop the standings. SC will next travel to Worcester State College for a non-conference tilt on Thursday evening, January 19, in a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
Entering her 22nd season as head coach in 2012-13, Naomi Graves has directed her squads to an impressive 306-156 record (.662 winning percentage) since joining the Division III ranks in 1995. Graves has led the Pride to 12 post-season bids in the past 17 years, including five berths in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
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