Women's Basketball Loses Season Opener at Emerson

BOSTON, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball tipped off their 2024-25 season on the road at Emerson College in a non-conference game Monday afternoon.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 70 | Emerson College 80
Records: Blazers 0-1, 0-0 (GNAC) | Lions 2-0, 0-0 (NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The two sides would trade possession early in the contest, but Emerson would begin with a 3-0 after making a three-pointer. Elms would respond soon thereafter with a three-point shot by sophomore guard Jade Lewis (Orlando, Fla), assisted by graduate student guard Rahmia Johnston (Newtown, Conn.). The Lions would add to their lead, but junior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.) would tie the game after draining a three-pointer, assisted by first-year forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.). The two intrastate opponents would both take shots, unsuccessfully, and trade possession until Emerson completed a three-point play. Johnston would respond seconds later with a game-tying three-point shot, assisted by Graham, but the Lions would complete a layup to take back the lead. As the clock wound down for the opening quarter, Emerson would continue to extend their lead, but the Blazers defense would force a turnover after a steal by forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) and would make a breakaway to score on a layup. The Lions hold their lead into the break, 27-11.

The second quarter would begin with a similar narrative as Emerson would be first to score, but Graham would score five points and a steal in the first two minutes. Shortly after, Turco would complete a three-point play to help cut down the Lions lead to 11 points. The two sides would then go back to trading possession, Johnston and Lewis would both make steals but both possessions would be unsuccessful for Elms. Minutes later, Uribe made a layup and Graham hit a three-point shot to cut down their opponent's lead, but Emerson would continue to hold their lead. In the final minutes of the second quarter, Johnston and Lewis would make a combined 12 points to help cut their opponent's lead to five points, but the Lions would go into the halftime break with a 43-38 advantage.

Emerson would start the third quarter with a steal and three-point shot, but the Blazers would respond with five points of their own after sophomore guard/forward Sophia Andrade (Southwick, Mass.) would find an open Johnston for a three-pointer, followed by Johnston connecting with Uribe for a jump shot to keep the game at a five-point difference. The two sides would trade possession for the remainder of the quarter, but the Lions would extend their lead to 15 points by a score of 65-50.

The fourth and final quarter would begin with a jump shot by Lewis, assisted by Johnston. Emerson would add to the lead before Johnston made a layup, but the two sides would again trade possession, seeing steals from Johnston and junior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.). Junior forward Jenny Gorski (Vernon, Conn.) would make a layup, after receiving a pass from Lewis, and Johnston would make three three-point shots, assisted by Lewis and Gorski. As the clock wound down, Johnston would make a jump shot, assisted by Turco, and a pair of free throws, but the efforts would not be enough as the Lions would defeat the Blazers 80-70 in their season opener.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston - 28 points, four rebounds, three steals, and three assists.

• Uribe - 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals.

• Lewis - 11 points, six assists, and two steals.

• Graham - 11 points, two rebounds, a steal, and an assist.

• Turco - 10 rebounds, six points, and an assist.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will travel to Fitchburg State University in a non-conference game on Saturday, November 16th at 12 pm.

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