Box Score MANCHESTER, NH –Saint Anselm scored 14 unanswered points to erase a nine point deficit midway through the second half en route to a 45-39 victory versus The College of Saint Rose in a Northeast-10 Conference encounter tonight at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

The Golden Knights (8-4/5-3 NE-10) were outscored 22-6 in the paint and shot a season-low 31.8 percent (14-for-44) from the floor. The Hawks (9-4/3-4 NE-10) actually had a worse shooting night as they buried a mere 30.8 percent (16-for-52) of their opportunities. However, they generated a 43-27 rebounding advantage and held Saint Rose to three field goals throughout the final 9:30.

Senior guard Ashley Rath finished in double-figures for the 11th time this year with 11 points to lead the Golden Knights. Senior forward Ali Johnson wound up with seven points, nine rebounds and a season-high six blocks throughout only 27 minutes due to foul trouble. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Tori Lehr and senior guard Epiphany Smith tossed in 10 points apiece to pace Saint Anselm.

Saint Rose had things going its way throughout most of the evening. The Golden Knights walked into the locker room with a three point, 17-14, advantage at the break and then opened the second half with a 10-4 spurt that boosted their cushion to nine, 27-18, with 12:48 remaining. Two minutes later, freshman guard Gabie Polce went 1-for-2 from the stripe to make it 32-23 Saint Rose.

Saint Anselm then responded with its 14-0 jaunt that afforded the Hawks a 37-32 lead that they refused to relinquish. Sophomore guard Vanessa D'Ambrosi hit a jumper in the paint to put Saint Anselm ahead, 33-32, with 7:03 remaining and then Lehr finished back-to-back fast breaks to cap the run.

Looking ahead, the Golden Knights return home Saturday for a 1:30 pm conference game versus Stonehill. The Hawks on the other hand get right back at it Thursday when they are scheduled to host NE-10 rival Saint Michael's at 5:30 pm.