December 5th, 2024, Providence- It was a defensive showcase as Brown took on Stonehill, securing a commanding 78-45 victory in front of a lively home crowd. Brown’s tenacity on both ends of the court set the tone early, with Gianna Aiello igniting the offense after an initial turnover, scoring a quick bucket to give Brown the lead. Stonehill’s Kyle Swinder answered at the free-throw line to tie it 2-2, but Brown’s defense and fast-paced play soon took control.
The first quarter saw Brown dominate, fueled by key contributions from Grace Arnolie and Alyssa Moreland. Gia’s timely steal and layup extended the lead, and Ima’s free throws widened the gap. Olivia Young’s three-point shooting provided a spark, and Brown ended the quarter with a 29-8 advantage. Shooting 50% from the field, Brown capitalized on Stonehill’s seven turnovers, scoring nine points off them and racking up five steals. In the second quarter, Stonehill showed signs of life, shooting 44% from the field. Sharn Haywood’s reverse layup and Swinder’s offensive rebounds helped close the gap slightly. However, Brown’s Gianna and Grace Arnolie answered every push with relentless effort on offense, including second-chance points and a deep three-pointer. At halftime, Brown held a 38-24 lead, with Olivia Young and Grace Arlie leading the way with nine points each.
The third quarter saw Stonehill attempt a comeback, with Brooke Paquette scoring on an and-one and Swinder hitting a jumper to bring the deficit to single digits. Brown responded swiftly with Aima Ofunrein and Alyssa Moreland delivering easy buckets, while Young continued her strong play with a key block and another buzzer-beating three to end the quarter, giving Brown a 56-33 lead. In the final period, Brown pulled away for good. Gianna’s back-to-back layups and Gia Powell’s baseline jumper extended the lead. Grace Arnolie and Isabella Maurcio capped the performance with threes, electrifying the bench and fans. Brown’s defense, led by 12 steals and five blocks, kept Stonehill at bay.
Brown finished with four players in double figures, shooting 44.6% from the field and 73.3% from the free-throw line. Head Coach Mo praised the team’s defensive effort and emphasized maintaining this momentum for their next game against Providence
