NEW HAVEN, CT. – Pace University Women's Basketball traded punches through the first half and carried a narrow lead into the break, but a decisive third-quarter surge by Southern Connecticut State proved costly in a 69–56 Northeast 10 loss on Wednesday night. The Setters stayed within one possession at halftime before the hosts used a 24-point third period to create separation inside the Moore Field House.
Pace settled in quickly after an early 8–0 deficit. Ciara Collins attacked the rim for a layup to make it 8–2, and Claire Fitzpatrick buried a three to trim the margin to 8–5. Collins then converted two free throws and a midrange jumper to cut the deficit to 10–9, and LyNeta Brand finished inside to give the Setters their first lead at 11–10. Anisa Akinola knocked down a late three, but Southern Connecticut State closed the quarter ahead 17–14.
The Setters found their rhythm in the second. Akinola drilled another three to make it 19–17, and Collins followed with a triple to pull Pace within one at 21–20. Brand's layup pushed the Setters back in front, 24–23, before Collins connected again from deep to extend the edge to 27–23. After trading baskets, Collins calmly sank two free throws to give Pace a 29–25 lead, and Cali Chiocchi added a three as the Setters carried a 32–31 advantage into halftime.
Southern Connecticut State seized control coming out of the locker room. The hosts opened the third on a 14–2 run, turning a 32–31 deficit into a 45–34 lead. Fitzpatrick answered with a three to cut it to 36–34 and Brand added a jumper to keep it close at 36–34, but the Owls continued to convert inside and from the line, stretching the margin to 55–41 by the end of the period.
Pace continued to battle in the fourth. Collins scored through contact to make it 55–45, then added two free throws to trim the deficit to 55–47. Akinola followed with a pair at the stripe to cut it to 57–49, and Fitzpatrick's late three made it 65–52. Despite the push, the early third-quarter run proved too much to overcome as the hosts closed it out at the line.
Collins led all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting and a perfect 8-of-8 at the free-throw line. Akinola added 14 points and five rebounds, while Chiocchi grabbed nine boards and dished six assists. Fitzpatrick chipped in nine points off the bench as Pace shot 38 percent from three and a perfect 10-for-10 at the line.
The Setters return home on Saturday to host Saint Anselm College at 1:30 p.m. as Pace Celebrates Black Excellence.
