Women's Basketball Lose in Non-Conference Action to Western New England

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball team hosted Western New England University in a non-conference game on Thursday evening at Picknelly Arena for a White Out Game.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 54 | Western New England University 95
Records: Blazers 2-6, 0-0 (GNAC) | Golden Bears 6-3, 1-1 (CNE)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game started by sophomore forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.) hitting a layup to get the Blazers on the board first. A few minutes later, junior forward Tatiana Pereira (Providence, R.I.) nailed a jumper at, followed nearly immediately by senior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.) burying a three-point shot. As the first quarter progressed, Elms battled for every rebound and possession. First year guard Sanaii Diaz (Worcester, Mass.) knocked down a jumper to add to the Blazers total. Just before the quarter ended, senior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) drained a three-point shot, pulling Elms a little closer. Then with 12 seconds remaining, first year forward Zuleily Lopez (Worcester, Mass.) scored a layup with an assist from Pereira, giving Elms some momentum heading into the second quarter, 17-30. In the second quarter, senior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) got to the line and made both of her free throw attempts. A few possessions later, Uribe drove in for a layup after receiving a pass from Pereira. Midway through the quarter, Lopez would make two big blocks, followed by Pereira scoring on a jump shot, and later first year forward Devynn Watford (Billerica, Mass.) converted an offensive rebound into a layup, but the Golden Bears would continue to control the lead 56-29 going into the halftime break.

After halftime, Turco opened the period strong with a layup in the opening minute, after Diaz would make a steal. Then Uribe came through with a tip-in after hustling for an offensive rebound. Later in the quarter, Turco added another layup and then knocked down a free throw. Down the stretch, Elms kept battling for rebounds and looks, and though some shots did not fall, WNE would continue to maintain their 77-43 lead. In the fourth and final quarter, The Blazers continued to fight. Uribe would make a steal to try to generate some momentum in the favor of Elms. The Blazers offense would continue to try their best to cut down their opponent's lead with the help from a free throw by Graham, a layup from Diaz, and a late jump shot by Turco, followed by a steal by Diaz in the final minute, would draw a foul and would make both free throws. Unfortunately, the Golden Bears would defeat Elms 95-54.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Turco - 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.

• Uribe - nine points, four rebounds, a steal, and an assist.

• Pereira - six points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

• Diaz - six points, two rebounds, a rebound, and an assist.

• Graham - six points, two rebounds, and an assist.

• Figueroa - five points.

• Watford - three points, two rebounds and two assists.

• LeBel - three points.

• Andrade - three rebounds.

• Lopez - two points and two blocks.

• Wasiewicz - an assist.

• Glover - a rebound.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will host Mount Holyoke College on Tuesday, December 9th in a non-conference game at 6:30 pm at Picknelly Arena.

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