COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College women's basketball team ran its winning streak to three games by taking a 74-66 decision from American International College during Northeast-10 Conference play on Tuesday at the Ross Sports Center.
 
RECORDS

• Saint Michael's (8-11, 5-8 NE10), AIC (10-11, 3-10 NE10)

SAINT MICHAEL'S LEADERS

• Sophomore Bella Franchi (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central), 18 points (career high), 6-for-12 field goals, 3-for-5 three-pointers, 3-for-4 free throws
• Senior Brianna Furch (Los Angeles, Calif./Brentwood School/Cal State Fullerton), 14 points, 4 assists, 2-for-4 three-pointers, 4-for-5 free throws
• Sophomore Jayla Tyler (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central/Saint Rose), 13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 offensive rebounds, 2 blocks, 4-for-5 field goals, 5-for-5 free throws
• Sophomore Ruby Santos (New Paltz, N.Y./Kent School), 11 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 offensive rebounds, 4 blocks
• Senior Makayla Blake (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central), 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4-for-6 field goals
• First-year Margaret Montplaisir (Portsmouth, N.H./Portsmouth), 7 points
• Sophomore Ashlee Talbot (Dracut, Mass./Dracut), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 steals

OPPONENT LEADERS

• Sophomore Ruzgar Christina Boyle, 20 points, 4-for-10 three-pointers
• First-year Keyvanna Bennett, 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 offensive rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals
• Senior Chelsea Reeves, 11 points, 4 assists

GAME FACTS

• Franchi netted a career-high point total for the second straight game, after totaling 17 on Saturday versus regionally-ranked Pace University.
• The Purple and Gold posted 20 assists on 26 baskets.
• The Purple Knights have won consecutive home games from AIC for the first time since Jan. 9, 1993, and Feb. 5, 1994.
• Saint Michael's shot 15-for-18 on free throws to AIC's 6-for-11 effort.

THE ACTION

• Franchi buried a three-pointer at 6:03 of the first quarter to account for the fourth lead swing, which provided Saint Michael's an 11-10 lead and sparked a 7-0 run. Blake scored the final four points.
• The Purple Knights continued to lead by no more than six points until Furch's driving lay-in made it 29-21 at 7:30 of the second period, and the hosts carried a 37-30 lead into halftime after Blake rattled home a jumper with 18 seconds to go.
• Franchi's free throw extended the advantage to 44-34 at 8:19 of the third before Boyle buried a three and Bennett hit a free throw, and AIC was down only six.
• Three players netted baskets in a 1:03 span to help Saint Michael's double its lead by 5:56 (50-38), and Tyler's pair of free throws extended the margin to a game-high 14 with 3:33 to go (54-40).
• AIC crept as close as 70-66 on junior Peyton Grant's baseline jumper with 19 seconds to go, but Furch went 4-for-4 on free throws in the final 10 seconds to seal the win.

 NEXT SAINT MICHAEL'S GAME

• Saturday at Southern Connecticut State University, 1:30 p.m.
• The Owls received votes toward this week's D2 CSC national poll.