Suffolk’s success started early on for the women’s basketball team, who opened the year on its home hardwood for the third time in program history, and did so in winning fashion for the first time since 2016 behind a 59-50 victory over Keene State.
That win helped the blue-and-gold carry a 6-3 ledger at the mid-year break.
In the New Year, Suffolk played all its games in January on the road or at neutral sites. Wins were traded with losses throughout January to set-up a thrilling February calendar.
Things jump started at the Rams’ rival, Emmanuel. Overall, in a historic series history, the blue-and-gold has taken down the Saints just twice. February 1, 2020 would be the third time as they ran past the Fenway resident, 73-59.
Three days later Suffolk kept the winning ways going with an offensive onslaught of Saint Joseph’s (Maine), 64-49, a historic contest that saw Alexis Hackett claim the all-time rebounding record.
Momentum was on the Rams side to secure home-court advantage in the GNAC postseason as their 8-3 league ledger was good for the fourth spot.
Moving onto the semis would not come easy though, as fifth-seeded Albertus Magnus ventured to the newly renovated Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court with vengeance for its 65-59 setback to Suffolk a month prior.
Every player showed sparks of greatness to contribute to the edge-of-your seat outing, one of, if not, the Rams’ longest game in program history with two overtimes needed to decide a winner, which was the hosts by an eight-point margin, 103-95.
The blue-and-gold had little time to rest its legs after that thrilling free basketball duel with the Falcons as the semifinals shipped it back across Beantown for a rematch with second-seed Emmanuel.
Things came down to the wire once again with Suffolk having a chance to take the lead with just seconds left on the clock. The Saints gained control, however, and eliminated the Rams and their hopes of ever becoming GNAC champs, as Suffolk transitions into the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) in 2020-21.
THROUGH THE LENS
grand celebration
Jenni-Rose DiCecco led a convincing 63-30 triumph at Fitchburg State with a record-setting effort of 22 points to seal her spot in Suffolk’s 1,000 point club.
The floor general became the 15th member of the coveted club, first since George Bourikas did Feb. 2, 2018, and first junior to do so since Jennifer Ruys, who eclipsed the grand marker in 2013.
DiCecco is one of the fastest individuals to eclipse the 1,000-point milestone, achieving the feat in just 62 games.
swat success
Alexis Hackett’s 5-foot-11 stature was a presence known on the defensive end of the hardwood since she arrived in Beacon Hill.
Her tenacity paid off as her 34th swat of the season marked the 145th of her career against Wesleyan January 26, 2020, installing a new Rams record, displacing Jennifer Ruys’ previous mark of 144, which was set in 2014. She finished that outing with 149 career blocks to her credit.
In 101 games played, Hackett blocked 163 shots to sit atop Suffolk’s career charts, while her 51 this season are second on the season lists. She also holds spots four and five with 48 blocks as a junior and 45 swats as a sophomore, respectively.
RECORD REBOUNDER
In a convincing 64-49 win over Saint Joseph’s (Maine) February 4, 2020, Alexis Hackett reset the Rams all-time rebounding record.
The senior entered the Tuesday tilt needing just five boards to take the top spot on the career carom list with 880 boards, to displace Johanna McGourty from the spot, which she held since 1993.
Hackett finished with eight rebounds, but it was the fifth of the night that sealed the deal.
In 101 collegiate appearances, she grabbed a near 1,000 rebounds with 201 on the offensive end and 746 on the defensive side of the ball to finish with 947 boards.
STEAL STATS
Jenni-Rose DiCecco reads the defense and plays in the passing lane and it proved as she stole the season steal title from Paula Noto with her 72nd takeaway of the season against Colby Sawyer February 18, 2020. Noto’s mark of 71 steals stood in a single season came in 1994-95 and has not been challenged by another since DiCecco this year.
The junior floor general owns the second slot as well with 67 takeaways in 2018-19.
DiCecco is nearing the all-time steal record as well with 206 steals over three years, just 12 takeaways from Lauren Burns record, which was set from 2003-07.
1K CLUB
Alexis Hackett had a historic Senior Day February 15. Not only was she recognized as the program’s all-time leader in blocks and rebounds prior to tip-off against Norwich, but she hit career-highs in points (27) and field goals made (11), finishing the 68-42 win with 27-point, 11-rebound effort.
Thanks to her offensive output, Hackett became the 16th member of Suffolk’s 1,000-point club. Not only that, but she is only the 11th player in the Rams’ record books to surpass the 1,000-point and 500-rebound mark, first since Georgia Bourikas did so Feb. 10, 2018.
She was the second student-athlete to reach the feat this season, joining Jenni-Rose DiCecco, who accomplished the mark December 4, 2019 at Fitchburg State.
ALL-GNAC FIRST TEAM
Jenni-Rose DiCecco earned her second straight All-GNAC First-Team nod with another stand-up season.
The floor general provided a team-best 15.6 points per game, which ranked seventh in the conference, and set-up the Rams’ 66.2 points per game offense with 5.0 dimes per outing, which was good for third in the league ranks. She took away a conference-best 86 steals, good for 3.2 steals per contest and added 4.6 rebounds per outing.
Her junior year featured her 1,000 career point as well and Suffolk's single-season steal title.
DiCecco is the first Ram to pick up back-to-back first-team nods since Jennifer Ruys ’14 did so in 2012-13 and 2013-14, respectively.
ALL-GNAC THIRD-TEAM
Alexis Hackett closed out her record-setting Ram career with a spot on the All-GNAC Third-Team after averaging a double-double of 10.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Throughout her career she was a force both offensively and defensively and it proved with 33 career double-doubles, nine of which came in 2019-20.
The third team spot is the third all-conference recognition of her career, which is the most for a student-athlete since Katie North was honored in each of her four seasons from 1997-2000.
SPORTSMANSHIP SPOT
Junior Jordan Hipwell represented the Rams on the All-GNAC Sportsmanship Team.
The team was established to honor one player from each team in the conference for outstanding dedication to sportsmanship and for their portrayal of good sportsmanship, fair play and positive attitude.
SENIOR SALUTE
Prior to tip-off February 15 against Norwich, Suffolk women's basketball honored Alexis Hackett, the lone graduating player and member of the Rams' Class of 2020.
rams reflects
In first a person narrative, Suffolk's senior, Alexis Hackett, had a chance to look back on her time as Suffolk student-athletes in Rams Reflections.
