Women's Basketball Hosts Emmanuel in a Conference Matchup

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball team hosted Emmanuel College for a conference game on Saturday afternoon at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 30 | Emmanuel College 58
Records: Blazers 6-15, 2-6 (GNAC) | Saints 15-5, 8-0 (GNAC)

PRIOR TO THE GAME

The Elms College Women's Basketball team hosted their annual Alumni Day and National Girls and Women in Sports Day Game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening quarter was defined by Elms' defensive intensity and persistence, even as Emmanuel struck first. After early missed shots on both ends, the Saints would open the scoring, but the Blazers would answer with strong defensive plays, including a block from sophomore forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.) and multiple rebounds from senior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) to settle the Blazers in. Despite the Saints extending its lead to 6-0, Elms continued to battle inside, forcing tough shots and controlling the defensive side through Uribe and first year forward Zuleily Lopez (Worcester, Mass.). Elms' energy paid off midway through the quarter as Lopez sparked the offense. After securing multiple offensive rebounds, Lopez finished through contact for Elms' first basket, cutting the deficit to 11-2. The Blazers stayed aggressive, and junior forward Tatiana Pereira (Providence, R.I.) provided an immediate boost off the bench, knocking down a three-pointer to bring Elms within six points. The Blazers defense remained active, with Lopez recording a block and continuing to dominate the boards on both ends of the floor. As the quarter progressed, the Blazers found its rhythm offensively. Lopez converted a putback, and moments later Pereira added a mid-range jumper to trim the margin to 13-9. Elms continued to pressure Emmanuel defensively, forcing turnovers that led to transition opportunities. With 2:48 remaining, first year guard Malinna Figueroa (Waterbury, Conn.) finished a layup off a steal and assist from Uribe, pulling Elms within two at 13-11 and prompting an Emmanuel timeout. In the final minutes of the quarter, Elms maintained defensive discipline, forcing missed free throws and contested shots while staying within striking distance. Despite the Saints closing the quarter with late baskets, the Blazers' relentless effort on the glass, bench production, and defensive hustle highlighted a strong first-quarter showing that kept Elms firmly in the game heading into the second period. Elms opened the second quarter rotating in fresh personnel, but Emmanuel capitalized early with points in transition to extend its lead. Despite the early pressure, Elms responded with hustle on the offensive side, as first year guard Sanaii Diaz (Worcester, Mass.) and senior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) each grabbed offensive rebounds to create second-chance opportunities. Diaz finished through traffic to pull Elms within 22-13. Emmanuel answered back quickly with a jumper and free throws to regain momentum, but Elms continued to battle inside. LeBel scored on a strong layup, trimming the deficit to 14-points. The Blazers showed resilience defensively, forcing missed shots and turnovers, but the Saints converted key possessions to push the lead to 18-points midway through the quarter, prompting an Elms timeout. Out of the break, Elms found a spark offensively as junior center Teah McKoy (Hartford, Conn.) knocked down a jumper off an assist from Uribe. Elms remained active on the boards, with Diaz and Pereira securing defensive rebounds to slow Emmanuel's pace. However, The Saints continued to convert in transition and at the free-throw line, stretching their advantage over the home team further. Late in the quarter, Elms continued to compete on both ends. Uribe finished a layup mark off a pass from senior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.). Defensively, Elms forced several late turnovers, highlighted by steals from Uribe, Turco, junior guard/ forward Sophia Andrade (Southwick, Mass.), and a final takeaway by Andrade in the closing seconds to end the half. Despite Emmanuel taking a 41-19 lead into halftime, Elms would showcase determination throughout the second quarter, generating second-chance points, forcing turnovers, and continuing to play with energy heading into the break.

Elms opened the third quarter with strong defensive energy, forcing multiple early turnovers to keep Emmanuel off the scoreboard. Graham came up with a steal, and the Blazers continued to contest shots inside, highlighted by a block from Uribe and a defensive rebound by Turco to hold the Saints scoreless for the opening two-plus minutes. Despite Elms' defensive effort, Emmanuel broke through midway into the quarter with a layup, followed by a second-chance basket to extend their lead. The Blazers continued to battle on the court, as Turco added another block and Pereira secured multiple defensive rebounds to slow the Saints' momentum. Even with several quality looks, Elms struggled to convert offensively as Emmanuel pushed the advantage to 47-19. The Blazers responded with energy off the bench. After forcing a turnover, Figueroa knocked down a three-point shot, with an assist by Diaz, and provided a spark for Elms. Defensively, the Blazers would continue to force mistakes, with sophomore guard Gabby Wasiewicz (Worcester, Mass.) and Figueroa each recording steals to disrupt the Saints' rhythm. As the quarter progressed, Elms remained aggressive on both ends. Pereira attacked the offensive side and earned trips to the free-throw line late in the period, converting both attempts to make it 54-24. The Blazers continued to generate extra possessions with offensive rebounds from Diaz and Andrade, keeping pressure on Emmanuel's defense through the final minute. Despite Emmanuel extending its lead late, Elms showed resilience throughout the third quarter, forcing turnovers, protecting the rim, and finding momentum through bench contributions and defensive intensity heading into the final period. Elms opened the fourth quarter attacking the court and setting a physical tone, with Diaz grabbing an early offensive rebound to create a second-chance opportunity. The Blazers forced multiple turnovers in the opening minutes, disrupting the Saint's rhythm, and Diaz got Elms on the board with a jumper to cut the deficit to 54-26. Elms continued to battle defensively, holding Emmanuel scoreless at the line after missed free throws and collecting key rebounds from LeBel and Lopez. The Blazers generated extra possessions through offensive rebounds by Diaz and Uribe, keeping pressure on Emmanuel's defense despite shots not falling consistently. Midway through the quarter, Elms' defensive effort remained strong. Diaz recorded multiple steals, Lopez controlled the boards on both ends, and the Blazers traded turnovers with the Saints during a fast-paced stretch. After another forced turnover, first year guard Sam Gomes (Worcester, Mass.) finished a layup to bring Elms within 58-28, showcasing continued energy from the bench. Late in the period, the Blazers would stay aggressive, as sophomore forward Stephanie Mildner (Moscow, Penn.) sparked a strong stretch by forcing a turnover, scoring a layup at the, and then grabbing both an offensive and defensive rebound on consecutive possessions. Pereira and Wasiewicz added defensive rebounds in the closing minute as the Blazers would close the game competing on every possession. Despite the final margin, Elms' persistence, rebounding effort, and defensive pressure defined the fourth quarter, as the Blazers continued to play with intensity and effort through the final horn, but Emmanuel would defeat Elms 58-30.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Lopez - ten rebounds, four points, and a block.

• Diaz - nine rebounds, four points, two steals, and an assist.

• Pereira - seven points, five rebounds, and a steal.

• Figueroa - five points and a steal.

• Turco - five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

• Uribe - three rebounds, three steals, two points, two assists, and a block.

• LeBel - three rebounds and two points.

• Mildner - two points, two rebounds, and a steal.

• Gomes - two points and a steal.

• McKoy - two points.

• Andrade - two rebounds and a steal.

• Graham - a steal and an assist.

• Wasiewicz - a rebound and a steal.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will travel to Newton, Mass. for a conference matchup at Lasell University Wednesday, February 11th at 5:30 pm.

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