Women's Basketball Battle with Conference Foe New England College at Home

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball hosted New England College for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup Saturday afternoon for their Fight Like a Kid Cancer Awareness and Alumni Game at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 57 | New England College 67
Records: Blazers 6-13, 3-5 (GNAC) | Pilgrims 8-11, 2-6 (GNAC)

PRIOR TO THE GAME

The Women's and Men's Basketball teams came together to host the FIGHT LIKE A KID Childhood cancer awareness to join in solidarity for those impacted by childhood cancer, honoring Autumn, 9 year old Fanconi Anemia Warrior and Team Ava, 6 year old leukemia warrior of Sutton, Mass., to raise $50,000 for the Fanconi Cancer Foundation to fund research that will go into the next FDA approved drug to help those battling Pediatric Fanconi Cancer.  When you came in today, we provided you with more information to learn about our campaign, Fanconi Cancer, and ways that you can help us raise this lifesaving amount of money in only 15 weeks.

If you are interested in donating, please click the link below.

Team Autumn - Fanconi Cancer Foundation

Both teams would also host alumni games, being joined by former Blazers basketball players of multiple generations. During halftime of the men's game, the 2004-2005 Men's Basketball team would be honored, celebrating 20 years since their historic North Atlantic Conference Championship, defeating Lasell College for the first championship in program history, and would earn a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

New England College would earn the opening possession, but sophomore guard Jade Lewis (Orlando, Fla.) recorded a steal to earn Elms their first possession. The conference foes would trade possessions, until Lewis would make a jump shot for the first basket of the contest, followed by a tip-in from junior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.). The two opposing teams would be unsuccessful to score for the next four and a half minutes, but the Blazers defense would try to create opportunities for their offensive efforts after steals from Uribe and Lewis, along with a block by junior forward Jenny Gorski (Vernon, Conn.). First year guard Gabby Wasiewicz (Worcester, Mass.) would end the scoring drought after making a successful free throw attempt, but the Pilgrims would quickly respond with a jump shot. Shortly thereafter, first year forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.) would make two trips to the free throw line, where she would make two successful attempts, to help extend the Elms lead. The NEC offense would then cut the home team's lead to two points after making a three-point shot, but the Blazers would see a layup and a steal from Turco. As the final seconds ticked off the clock for the first quarter, New England would add two layups, but Elms would hold on to their 10-9 lead with the help of a free throw and another steal from Turco. The second quarter would begin with a different narrative, as the Pilgrims would carry their late momentum into the new quarter, scoring six points to take the lead. The Blazers offense would put a pause to their opponents rally, with a jump shot from Lewis, followed by a steal from sophomore guard/forward Shea Barron (Wallingford, Conn.), but the 'Grims would add another layup to extend their lead. Elms would continue to be resilient, as graduate student guard Rahmia Johnston (Newtown, Conn.) added a steal and a free throw, followed by finding an open Barron for a three-point shot to cut their deficit to four points, but NEC would add another two baskets to further their lead. As the second quarter began to wind down, the Blazers would see a three-point shot, two free throws, and a steal from Wasiewicz and a layup by Turco, but New England would maintain their lead going into the halftime break, 28-23.

The third quarter would begin with Elms scoring first after Lewis would connect with Turco for a layup, followed by Turco making two free throws and Barron finding an open Johnston for a three-point shot to bring the score to 32-30, NEC, but the visiting team would continue to add upon to their lead. The Blazers would continue their fight to regain the lead, after Turco would record a block, a tip-in, and a steal, junior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.) made a jump shot, Wasiewicz added a layup, followed by a free throw and a steal from Uribe, a steal by Lewis, and a jump shot by Johnston, but the Pilgrims would continue to keep their lead at an arm's length distance, 46-39. The 'Grims would hold possession first in the fourth quarter, but Uribe would force a steal and would lead to a layup from Graham for the first basket. Elms would continue their early efforts with the assistance of a layup and a pair of free throws by Lewis, a steal from Turco, and a pair of free throws by Graham, to bring the game to a one point difference, 48-47. The New England offense would continue to add to their lead, but the Blazers would continue their fight, with the assistance of two three-point shots and a layup from Johnston, followed by a jump shot by Barron, but the Pilgrims would defeat the Blazers 67-57. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston - 14 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal.

• Turco - 13 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, a block, and an assist.

• Lewis - eight points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals.

• Wasiewicz - eight points, three rebounds, and a steal.

• Graham - six points, two assists, and a rebound.

• Barron - five points, an assist, and a steal.

• Uribe - four rebounds, three points, and three steals.

• Gorski - three rebounds and a block.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will return to Picknelly Arena to host Norwich University in a conference matchup on Tuesday, February 4th at 5 pm for their National Girls and Women in Sports Day Game.

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