Toros Women Lose Late Lead, Drop Game to Franklin Pierce, 69-64
December 30, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.-Franklin Pierce College came back from a seven-point deficit with just over three minutes left to play, and outscored host Cal State Dominguez Hills 15-3 down the stretch to take a 69-64 non-conference decision in the Torodome Thursday night.

CSUDH (4-4) looked to be in control with a 61-54 lead with 3:36 remaining in the game. However, the Toros went went cold going 0-for-6 from the floor the rest of the way, while Franklin Pierce (6-2) took advantage going 3-for-3 including a 3-point shot from Mollie Stelmack with 1:34 left to put them up for good, 62-61. The Ravens went 7-for-7 from the charity stripe down the stretch to seal the victory.

Down 32-28 at the break, CSUDH used a 15-9 run to open the second half to take a 43-41 lead with 13:49 remaining. Cal State Dominguez Hills built its lead to as much as nine points, 59-50, after a pair of free throws by Brittney Blankenship (Palmdale, CA/Palmdale HS) with 5:52 left. But two missed layups in the next two possessions hurt as the visitors took advantage beginning their late game run.

Blankenship paced the Toros in the loss with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field. Alana Bailey (Altadena, CA/John Muir HS) contributed with 13 points, while Octavia Askew (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham HS) led the team on the boards with 11.

Stelmack led a trio of FPC players in double figures with 21 points. Josie Lidke added 16 points of her own while Patricia Lank knocked in 11. Danielle D'Ettorre pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds.

CSUDH is back in league action when they travel to Cal State Bakersfield on January 7. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m.