Hawks Outlast Blazers In NECC Women's Hoops Action

Chicopee, Mass. -- The Elms College women's basketball team dropped a closely contested 45-43 nail-biter against Becker College in Picknelly Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Becker (4-3, 2-1 New England Collegiate Conference) got off to a hot start early in the first quarter, holding Elms (3-4, 1-1 NECC) off of the scoreboard for the first three minutes, going on a 5-0 run during that time. Becker finished the first quarter ahead 14-7, but Elms answered back in the second and third quarters out scoring Becker 24-16 during that time to take a 31-30 lead through 30 minutes of play.

It was the fourth and final period that ended up deciding the game as Becker made the game's final push and outscored Elms 18-14 to give the Hawks the 48-45 victory.

Senior Adrianna Dowdy (East Haven, Conn.) led Becker on offense and defense, finishing with 26 points, two assists, and 18 rebounds, including four on the offensive end. Cassidy Harrison (Foxborough, Mass.) added 11 points and six steals for the Hawks and went 7-for-8 at the free throw line.

Elms was led offensively by Angelica Peguero-Flores (Springfield, Mass.) who scored 22 points. On the defensive end for Elms, Senior Niah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.)  made her presence known, grabbing 17 total rebounds and adding three blocks. Pantry added 10 points for her third double-double of the season.

Elms shot 29 percent from the field, going 17-for-58, but was only able to connect on one 3-pointer going 1-for-5. Becker shot 23 percent from the field, going 15-for-64. The Hawks were not able to connect from deep, shooting 0-for-13 from long range.

Elms owned the paint, out-rebounding the Hawks 54-41 and holding a 32-26 advantage in points in the paint. Becker, however, won the turnover battle 25-13 and scored 16 fast-break points.

Becker will play next on Dec. 3 at the University of St. Joseph. Elms will travel to Eastern Nazarene on Dec. 4.