CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Simmons Basketball fell to the Pine Manor Gators 76-66 Saturday afternoon at Brunelli Court in non-conference action. Sophomore Jen Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) scored a team-high 19 points for the Sharks, knocking down five three-pointers in the first half of the contest. Liz Brasa (East Hartford, Conn.) added 12 points and 12 rebounds, recording a double-double for the Sharks, who fall to 1-6 on the season with today's result.

Janiak scored 15 of her 19 points in the first half, as the Sharks used 16 second chance points, combined with Janiak's hot shooting, to take a narrow 29-28 lead at the break.

The Sharks added to their lead in the opening minute of the second half as Brasa knocked down the first of two free throws to make the Simmons advantage 30-28. However, DeJesus grabbed the rebound on the second free throw and went coast-to-coast, scoring a layup while being fouled. DeJesus then knocked down the free throw to give Pine Manor the 31-30 lead.

Pine Manor would never trail for the remainder of the contest as DeJesus's basket and free throw spurred an 11-0 PMC run that would eventually give the Gators a 39-30 lead with 16:27 to play.

DeJesus scored 16 of her 29 points following halftime while Natasia Franklin (Windsor, Conn.) scored all 12 of her points after the break. Alexis Lee (Akron, Ohio.) also finished in double figures with 15 points.

The Pine Manor lead would grow to as many as 17 points, following a layup by DeJesus with 4:10 left in the second half. A late Simmons rally pulled the Sharks to within seven points with 39 seconds remaining but Franklin escaped the Simmons press with 33 seconds to play and knocked down a layup that sealed the 76-66 PMC victory.

The Sharks will look to bounce back when they host Brandeis on Monday at 7:00 PM. Pine Manor will return to action following the semester break when they host cross-town rival Newbury College on Sunday January 5, 2014 at 1:00 PM..