DE WITT, N.Y. (Interstat) — Ashley Buragas scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds Saturday to lead the Le Moyne Dolphins to a 53-49 women’s basketball victory over the Stonehill Skyhawks at Ted Grant Court. Le Moyne never trailed after building a 16-13 lead through the first quarter. The Dolphins led 26-25 at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half, holding off several Stonehill challenges. Buragas, a 6-foot-1 forward from Hopewell Junction, New York, was the key performer in the Northeast Conference matchup before a crowd of 439. Brooke Paquette led Stonehill with 14 points in a full 40 minutes of play. Ella Pelletier added nine points and 11 rebounds for the Skyhawks. With the win, Le Moyne evened the season series after a 79-54 loss at Stonehill on Jan. 31. The Dolphins improved to 10-18 overall, while the Skyhawks fell to 10-16.

DE WITT, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle where points were at a premium, Ashley Buragas delivered when it mattered most, lifting the Le Moyne women’s basketball team to a 53-49 victory over Stonehill in a Northeast Conference matchup on Saturday at Ted Grant Court. The Dolphins, who avenged a 25-point loss to the Skyhawks just three weeks prior, leaned on a dominant performance from Buragas and clutch late-game execution to secure the win in front of 439 fans. The junior forward from Hopewell Junction, New York, scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, including several critical plays in the final minutes to stave off a Stonehill comeback. The game was characterized by physical defense and inefficient offense from the opening tip. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm, combining for 30 turnovers and shooting under 35% from the field. The difference proved to be Le Moyne’s superior shot selection and timely three-point shooting. The Dolphins connected on 7 of 15 attempts from beyond the arc, while Stonehill labored through a 4-for-24 afternoon from deep. Le Moyne established an early lead behind Buragas, who scored six of her points in the first quarter as the Dolphins took a 16-13 advantage. Stonehill’s offensive woes were evident as they managed just 10 points in the third quarter, allowing Le Moyne to build a 40-35 lead heading into the final period. The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the tense final minute. With Le Moyne clinging to a 48-46 lead, Buragas drew a foul and calmly sank two free throws with 1:44 remaining to extend the advantage to four. After a Stonehill miss, the Dolphins worked the shot clock before Buragas found a cutting Kayden Clark, her sister, for a crucial three-pointer from the corner with 56 seconds left, pushing the lead to 51-46 and forcing a Stonehill timeout. Stonehill, which had battled back multiple times, refused to fold. Ella Pelletier answered with a layup to cut the deficit to three. Following a Le Moyne turnover, the Skyhawks had a chance to tie, but a rushed three-point attempt missed. Le Moyne’s Jessica Wangolo was fouled and made both free throws with 20 seconds left to seal the outcome at 53-49. Stonehill’s final two three-point attempts in the waning seconds were off the mark. Pelletier, a sophomore from South Paris, Maine, was a force for Stonehill, recording a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds while playing 35 minutes. Brooke Paquette led the Skyhawks in scoring with 14 points, and Breana Delaney added nine. But Stonehill’s inability to capitalize on extra opportunities proved costly; despite hauling in 16 offensive rebounds, they scored only 13 second-chance points and finished with an offensive rating of 80.7 points per 100 possessions. Le Moyne, meanwhile, was more efficient with its chances, posting an offensive rating of 93.4. Buragas was the central figure, but she received key support. Eli Clark dished out four assists and had four steals, and Sierra Linnin added five points and four rebounds. The Dolphins also capitalized on Stonehill’s mistakes, scoring 16 points off turnovers. The victory improved Le Moyne’s record to 10-18 overall. Stonehill fell to 10-16. Both teams continue NEC play on Thursday, with Le Moyne traveling to face Fairleigh Dickinson and Stonehill visiting Saint Francis (Pa.).

DE WITT, N.Y. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to build late-season momentum will meet Saturday when the Le Moyne Dolphins host the Stonehill Skyhawks in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup at Ted Grant Court. The game is a quick rematch from Jan. 31, when visiting Stonehill (10-15) routed Le Moyne 79-54 behind 21 points from standout guard Brooke Paquette. The Skyhawks have won two of their last three, including a 62-58 victory over New Haven on Thursday. Paquette was again instrumental, logging 40 minutes with 22 points and six assists. Paquette has been Stonehill’s consistent force, scoring in double figures in seven straight games. Her recent stretch includes a 21-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist performance in a win at Central Connecticut on Jan. 24. Le Moyne (9-18) also enters on a winning note, having defeated Central Connecticut 65-46 on Thursday. Amya McLeod led the Dolphins with 11 points in that contest. The Dolphins have shown sporadic flashes, including an 80-76 road win at Chicago State on Feb. 14, but have struggled for consistency. The Dolphins will aim for a sharper defensive performance after allowing Stonehill to shoot 50% from the field in the January meeting. Containing Paquette will be a primary focus. Both teams are near the bottom of the conference standings, making this a contest for positioning ahead of the upcoming league tournament. The matchup features two of the NEC’s younger programs in their Division I transitions, adding a layer of rivalry development. Stonehill’s offense runs through Paquette, who leads the team in scoring and playmaking. For Le Moyne, generating offense beyond McLeod and finding an answer for Paquette will be critical to avenging their earlier loss and protecting their home court. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.