PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Women's Basketball carried a six-point halftime lead into the break on Saturday afternoon, but Saint Anselm College used a decisive third-quarter run to pull away for a 65–55 Northeast 10 decision. The loss moves the Setters to 6-16 overall and 2-11 in Northeast 10 Conference play.
Pace dictated the early tempo with crisp ball movement and confident shooting.
Ciara Collins buried back-to-back three-pointers to spark a 6–2 start, and
LyNeta Brand finished in transition to extend the lead to 10–6.
Grace Ziogas added a mid-range jumper before
Claire Fitzpatrick knocked down a three to stretch the advantage to 15–6 midway through the quarter. Saint Anselm chipped away late, but Pace held a 19–17 edge after one.
The Setters continued to control the game in the second. Collins attacked the rim for an and-one to make it 22–19, and
Anisa Akinola drilled a three-pointer to push the lead to 25–21. Fitzpatrick connected again from deep to extend the margin to 28–21, and Brand's late basket gave Pace a 33–27 halftime cushion.
Saint Anselm flipped the momentum immediately after the break. The Hawks opened the third on a 10–2 run to tie the game at 35–35, then hit consecutive threes to jump ahead 40–36. Pace struggled to find rhythm, shooting 2-for-19 in the quarter, and the deficit grew to 48–38 entering the fourth.
The Setters battled late. Akinola scored on three straight possessions to cut the margin to 55–47, then knocked down a three to make it 58–50. Chiocchi and Brand added finishes to trim the deficit to 60–55 with under two minutes remaining, but Saint Anselm converted at the free-throw line to close out the game.
Akinola led Pace with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Fitzpatrick added 12 points on four three-pointers. Collins contributed nine points and four assists, and
Cali Chiocchi grabbed a team-high nine boards.
The Setters return home Tuesday to host Adelphi University at 5:30 p.m. at the Goldstein Fitness Center for the program's Play for Kay, Pace Goes Pink, and Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day.
