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Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University Penmen
Ava Winterburn shooting a contested 3-pointer with an opponent in the foreground
Jim Stankiewicz
54
Southern N.H. SNHU 14-13,8-10 NE10
71
Winner Southern Conn. St. SCSU 23-5,16-2 NE10
Southern N.H. SNHU
14-13,8-10 NE10
54
Final
71
Southern Conn. St. SCSU
23-5,16-2 NE10
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Southern N.H. SNHU 17 11 12 14 54
Southern Conn. St. SCSU 10 21 22 18 71

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Winterburn's Career Night Not Enough, as Women's Hoop Falls to Southern Connecticut, 71-54

Winterburn nets career-high 21 points in NE10 semifinal loss

When and Where: March 5, 2026 – New Haven, Conn. (Thomas Moore Field House)
Score: #2 seed Southern Connecticut State University 71, #6 seed Southern New Hampshire University 54
Records: SNHU 14-13, SCSU 23-5

Junior Ava Winterburn (New Boston, N.H.) hit for a career- and game-high 21 points, but the sixth-seeded Southern New Hampshire University women's basketball team dropped a 71-54 decision to second-seeded Southern Connecticut State University in the semifinal round of the NE10 Championship, presented by Visit Central Florida, on Thursday evening at the Moore Field House.

KEY MOMENTS
  • Southern New Hampshire scored the first nine points of the game and jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the opening five minutes, as it splashed five 3-pointers, including three from Winterburn. Southern Connecticut responded by ending the opening quarter on an 8-2 run to trim its deficit to seven at 17-10.
  • The margin was eight midway through the second stanza when SCSU ripped off a 15-4 run to end the half and take the lead for good at 31-28.
  • The Penmen hung around to start the second half, but the Owls would eventually score seven straight to widen the gap to 11 at 46-35 with 4:06 remaining. They would carry a 53-40 lead into the final frame.
  • Southern Connecticut grabbed its largest lead of the night at 63-46 with 5:57 to play and never let the lead get below 11 the rest of the way.
NOTES
  • Winterburn set career highs in field goals made (8) and attempted (17), as she went 4-for-8 from downtown and 1-for-2 at the stripe. She collected six rebounds and a pair of assists
  • SNHU dips to 8-14 (.364) all-time in its 14th appearance in the NE10 Championship, including 0-3 against Southern Connecticut.
  • This marked the second NE10 semifinal appearance for the Penmen, who advanced to the title game in 2023.
  • Sophomore Samantha Pfeil (Methuen, Mass.) recorded eight points (2-6 FG, 1-2 3-FG, 3-4 FT) and two rebounds.
  • Freshman Madelynn Deprey (Caribou, Maine) netted seven points (3-3 FG, 1-1 3-FG) and grabbed a pair of boards.
  • Junior Madison Hughes (Columbia, Conn.) tallied six points (2-6 FG, 2-3 3-FG), three rebounds and two assists.
  • SNHU started the game 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, but made just four of its final 16 treys, which included making its final two.
  • Southern Connecticut owned a 16-1 advantage in points off turnovers as they forced SNHU into 19 mistakes and only gave it away eight times.
  • Southern Connecticut leads the all-time series, 46-31, and has won five of the last six meetings, including all three this season. The Owls have also won four straight at home against SNHU, which last won in New Haven on Nov. 19, 2022 (58-55).
WHAT'S NEXT
  • The Penmen will await their fate for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. The NCAA Selection Show airs Sunday (March 8) at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com
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