Blazer Women Advance To NECC Semifinal With Win Over Wheelock

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's basketball team earned a spot in the New England Collegiate Conference semifinals after a 63-54 NECC opening-round win over Wheelock at Picknelly Arena on Tuesday night.

The fourth-seeded Blazers will visit top-seeded Newbury College on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. with a berth into the NECC Championship game on the line.

Elms junior Niah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.) was dominant on Tuesday, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Pantry hit 8-of-13 shots and went 6-for-9 at the free throw line. Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) overcame a slow shooting performance by hitting 4-of-6 free throws to finish with 10 points. Freshman Angelica Peguero-Flores (Springfield, Mass.) turned in an eye-popping defensive performance, finishing with seven boards, six blocks and four steals to go with her eight points.

Wheelock managed to shoot just 28.8 percent (17-of-59) from the field in the game after the Blazers rejected 10 of the Wildcats' 59 shots. Elms, meanwhile, shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the field and dominated on the glass, 49-33.

Wheelock's Emma Silver (Colchester, Conn.) scored 20 points and added three assists and five steals for the Wildcats. Katie Walsh (East Islip, N.Y.) added 17 points and six boards.

Elms improves to 11-15 on the season with the win while Wheelock finishes its season at 7-15 overall.