Women's Basketball Downs Purchase For First Win Of Season

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

DANBURY, Conn. – The Elms College women's basketball team defeated Purchase College, 68-62, in the consolation game of the 2015 Hat City Tournament, hosted by Western Connecticut State University at Feldman Arena Saturday afternoon.

Six different scorers contributed for Elms in the opening five minutes of the first quarter as the Blazers paced the Panthers, 12.6. A 7-0 run from Purchase, fueled by four points from senior Elizabeth Osowlecki (Franklin Square, N.Y.), gave the Panthers a 13-12 advantage. Trailing 15-12, the Blazers regained control on a three-pointer from junior Emily Burr (East Hartford, Conn.) and a three-point play by senior JC Pickett (Chicopee, Mass.) to close the first quarter with an 18-17 lead.

A pair of free throw from Purchase sophomore Brianna Saunders (Bronx, N.Y.) handed the Panthers a 19-18 lead early in the second frame. Knotted at 27-27 at the 5:40 mark, the Blazers used four scorers to power a 9-2 run to build a 36-31 lead heading into halftime.

Burr netted four points in the opening two minutes of play to push the Elms advantage to 42-35. Back-to-back jumpers by junior Heather Bailey (Williamstown, Vt.) followed by a trey from freshman Kayla Aberdale (Housatonic, Mass.) gave the Blazers a 49-39 lead with 3:13 on the clock. A layup and free throw from freshman Chaniah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.) sent Elms into the fourth quarter with a 52-43 lead.

The Blazers opened the final period on an 8-2 run with a jumper from freshman Nakia Mabin (Bridgeport, Conn.) giving Elms their largest lead, 60-45, with 6:59 remaining. The Panthers trimmed the deficit with a 9-1 run over the next two minutes until Elms sophomore Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) poured in a quick four points, along with a pair of free throws from Burr to gain a 67-54 lead. Purchase fell short in a rally down the stretch as the Blazers secured the 68-62 victory.

Burr netted a team-high 16 points, shooting 5-of-11 from the field, with four assists. Aberdale chipped in a career-high 11 points, connecting on 3-of-5 three-pointers, with three rebounds and two assists off the bench. Pickett and LaRochelle recorded eight points apiece, while junior Alexandra Marques (Newington, Conn.) grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds with seven points and two steals. Pantry added six points and nine rebounds in the win.

Osowlecki stuffed the stat sheet with a game-high 22 points, connecting on 10-of-27, with six rebounds, six steals, four blocks, and three assists. Panthers junior Allison Haugh (New City, N.Y.) scored 17 points with four rebounds, and sophomore Danielle Holmes (Warwick, N.Y.) contributed nine points and three rebounds.

The Blazers outrebounded the Panthers, 48-41, during the contest. Elms connected on 43.4% (23-of-53) from the floor, including 45.5% (5-of-11) from three-point range, and 60.7% (17-of-28) from the free throw line. Purchase shot 35.6% (26-of-73) from the field, 18.2% (2-of-11) from three-point, and 53.3% (8-of-15) from the foul stripe.

The Blazers will look to remain in the win column as the open their New England Collegiate Conference schedule at Newbury College Tuesday, December 1^st. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. The Panthers host Manhattanville College Tuesday night at 5:00 p.m.

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