PAXTON, Mass.- Sophomore Stevie Orton (Gilford, N.H.) poured in a game-high 32 points while senior Kyra Fleharty (Lewiston, Mont.) netted 17 points to power the Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team to a 68-59 victory at Anna Maria Saturday afternoon.

The Lions improve to 3-1 on the season with the win while the AMCats slip to 3-3 overall.

Orton posted her second double-double of the year, finishing with 13 rebounds to go with her season-best 32 points. Fleharty netted 17 points and collected nine boards off the bench. Jenn Burnham (West Valley City, Utah) contributed with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

After a 6-0 run by the home side to start the game, the visitors poured in eight unanswered points to seize an 8-6 edge with 3:41 remaining in the first quarter.

Eastern Nazarene tallied the final six points of the opening period to hold a 16-11 lead heading to the second frame.

The Lions stretched their advantage to eight, 21-13, with 7:07 to go in the first half as Fleharty drilled a three-pointer.

Anna Maria reclaimed the lead 25-23 on a trey by Franchesca Hammond with 2:47 on the clock.

Eastern Nazarene jumped back in front just before the halftime horn as Orton's bucket with 26 seconds remaining gave the guests a 29-28 edge at intermission.

The Lions shot 23.5% from the floor and sank just 2-of-13 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half. The AMCats sported a field-goal percentage of 28.1% to go with 1-for-17 shooting from three-point range at the break.

Orton poured in 12 points and grabbed nine boards in the opening two quarters to lead all scorers. Fleharty chipped in with five points and six boards while Burnham added six points.

Anna Maria opened the third period with a 13-4 run to gain an eight-point lead, 41-33.

Eastern Nazarene clawed back to snag a 44-43 edge with 15 seconds left in the third on a basket by Fleharty.

The hosts answered with a three-point at the buzzer to carry a 46-44 lead into the final frame.

A furious 11-0 start to the fourth period gave the visitors a 55-46 advantage with 6:54 remaining in regulation.

The Lions widened the gap to double digits with 3:37 to go in the contest, 61-51, as Fleharty knocked down a jumper.

Eastern Nazarene concluded the game with a field-goal percentage of 32.4% while making 4-of-27 attempts from three-point distance. Anna Maria shot 34.4% from the floor and 27.3% from behind the arc on the day.

Up next, the Lions will visit Pine Manor November 26.  

"DONAT3" UPDATE
Donated Amount: $375
Three-pointers Made: 13