Women's Hoops Fall to Lasers in Conference Action

NEWTON, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball team traveled to Lasell University for a conference game on Wednesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 50 | Lasell University 81
Records: Blazers 6-16, 2-7 (GNAC) | Lasers 16-6, 5-4 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first quarter would begin with both teams creating turnovers in their opening possessions, including a steal by sophomore forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.), but Lasell would be the first to score and would add seven points to their side of the scoreboard before Elms would see a jump shot from junior forward Tatiana Pereira (Providence, R.I.), after receiving a pass from senior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.). Even with this offensive effort, the Lasers would continue to carry the momentum and extend their lead further. As the Lasell offense would continue to control the game, the Blazers would look for an opportunity to generate some positive energy in their favor when Turco would draw a foul and would make both of her free throw attempts. As the opening quarter neared its end, first year guard Sanaii Diaz (Worcester, Mass.) would make a free throw and Pereira would sink a three-point shot, following a pass by LeBel, but the Lasers would go into the second quarter with a 29-8 lead. Lasell would start the second quarter with back-to-back shots to add four points to their lead. The two teams would then trade possession until Diaz would make a jump shot, followed by Turco blocking a layup attempt that would lead to another jump shot from Diaz. As the clock neared its halfway point, the Lasers would add a few shots to their lead, but the Elms offense would continue to look for their chance to get back into the game, when senior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) would connect a pass to first year forward Devynn Watford (Billerica, Mass.) for a layup, followed by a jump shot by first year guard Malinna Figueroa (Waterbury, Conn.), assisted by sophomore guard Gabby Wasiewicz (Worcester, Mass.). Then as the halftime break neared, the Blazers would look to go into the break with the momentum in their favor, following Wasiewicz making a three-point shot, a jump shot, assisted by first year guard Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.), and a steal, along with Pereira making a pair of free throws, but Lasell would go into the halftime break with a 46-23 lead.

The third quarter would begin with the Lasers making a pair of tip-ins, but Elms would see Turco record a second block and a layup. Moments later, Diaz would make a three-point shot, after receiving a pass from Uribe, a steal, and a jump shot to cut their deficit to 24-points. As the quarter would continue, the two conference foes would continue to trade possession, Diaz would then add a layup and she would then connect a pass to senior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.) for a layup. But as the horn sounded to end the third quarter, Lasell would continue to hold on to their 65-34 lead. The fourth and final quarter would see the Blazers earn momentum early when first year guard Sam Gomes (Worcester, Mass.) would make a steal that would lead to a tip-in from first year forward Zuleily Lopez (Worcester, Mass.), followed by a pair of free throws by Figueroa and a Diaz jump shot. The Lasers would add a free throw, but Elms would answer back with a second tip-in from Lopez. Lasell would add a pair of baskets, but the Blazers would see a layup by junior center Teah McKoy (Hartford, Conn.) and another jump shot from Diaz. As the quarter neared its final moments, Elms would continue to look for opportunities and would see Diaz add a layup, a steal by Glover, and Pereira would make a jump shot. Unfortunately, the Lasers would defeat Elms 81-50.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Diaz - 18 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

• Pereira - nine points, seven rebounds, and an assist.

• Glover - eight rebounds, a steal, and an assist.

• Wasiewicz - five points, two rebounds, a steal, and an assist.

• Turco - four points, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.

• Lopez - four points and two rebounds.

• Figueroa - four points.

• McKoy -  three rebounds and two points.

• Graham - two points and two rebounds.

• Watford - two points and two rebounds.

• LeBel - two rebounds and two assists.

• Uribe - two rebounds and two assists.

• Gomes - a rebound and a steal.

• Andrade - a rebound.

• Cellucci - a rebound.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will host Dean College for their annual Senior Day in a conference matchup on Saturday, February 14th at 3 pm.

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