The Simmons College basketball team got back into the GNAC tournament picture on Saturday picking up their third conference win in four games with a 77-59 win over Pine Manor. The Sharks came out blazing connecting on shots early and racing out to a 17-2 lead.

The offense was clicking in the first half, but the defense did an even better job holding Pine Manor to just 16 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes as the Sharks held a 31-15 lead at the break. In the second half Pine Manor played the Sharks even, but couldn't cut into the deficit enough to make for a tenuous lead Junior Lauren Kreckie was the star of this show as she poured in a season-high 22 points on 9-17 shooting, with four three's and also pulling down eight rebounds.

Sophomore Stephanie Fox was again a go to player for Simmons, as she poured in 15 points, and was immense on the glass hauling in 11 rebounds for her third straight double-double. Freshman Morgan Johnson also added 12 points for the Sharks. Simmons is back in action on Wednesday when they will host St. Joseph College in a GNAC showdown beginning at 7 p.m.