SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Junior forward Mackenzie Lynch (Wayne, NJ/DePaul Catholic) recorded 21 points and nine rebounds to lead the Caldwell College women's basketball team to a 76-65 triumph over St. Anselm College at the Bryant University Holiday Tournament Friday afternoon. The victory is the Cougars' sixth in a row and improves their record to 8-1 on the season, while the Hawks fall to 3-7.

Caldwell jumped out to a 30-12 lead in the first half thanks in part to six points each from Lynch, senior guard Khaliqa Davis (Newark, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) and freshman guard Stephanie Cadet (Elmont, NY/Elmont Memorial). But St. Anselm closed out the half with a 20-7 run to cut the Cougars' lead to 37-32 at the break. The Hawks stayed hot into the second half, using an 18-10 run to grab a 50-47 advantage with 13:28 to play. Erin Higgins had 11 points and hit three three-pointers in St. Anselm's scoring spree.

The Cougars answered with a 9-2 run capped by a basket from senior forward Melissa Freeman (Englewood, NJ/Cresskill) that put Caldwell ahead for good, 56-52 at the 10-45 mark. The Cougars extended their lead with an 11-2 run for a 70-58 advantage with 2:15 remaining. Caldwell shot 47.3 percent from the field while forcing 29 St. Anselm turnovers and swiping 17 steals.

Lynch, who averages team highs of 19-6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season, added three assists and two steals. Davis finished with 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field, while recording four assists and five steals. Cadet also scored 14 points and matched Lynch for game honors with nine boards. Higgins led St. Anselm with 21 points while making five three-pointers.

The Cougars continue play at the Bryant Holiday Tournament on Saturday, when they play the host Bulldogs at 3:00 p.m.