Blazer Women Outlast Newbury, 69-62

CHICOPEE, Mass. -- The Elms College women's basketball picked up its fourth win in five games on Thursday night, topping Newbury 69-62 in New England Collegiate Conference play.

Angelica Peguero-Flores (Springfield, Mass.) led Elms with an 18-point, 10 rebound double-double, and also swatted five Newbury shots. She went 7-for-14 from the field and connected on 4-of-6 free throws. McKenzie Huria (Terryville, Conn.) matched her career-high with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting and Molly Moulton (North Adams, Mass.) added 13 points for the Blazers (7-6, 3-3 NECC).

Jada Gee (Springfield, Mass.) led all scorers with 21 points for the Nighthawks (5-8, 3-4 NECC). Savannah Olsen (Battle Creek, Mich.) added nine points and a game-high 14 rebounds, including seven offensive, for Newbury.

The Blazers controlled the first 26 minutes of the game, building a 17-point cushion near the end of the third quarter before the Nighthawks began to rally. Newbury closed the third on a 13-2 run to cut the Blazer lead to just six at the end of the third quarter, and cut the deficit to just four, 50-46, early in the fourth. Huria, however, responded with a crucial 3-pointer with 8:38 to play that put Elms ahead 53-46 and gave the Blazers just enough breathing room to hold on to the lead over the final eight minutes.

Newbury controlled the glass, finishing with a 53-44 rebounding advantage, including a 29-9 edge in offensive rebounds, which resulted in a 23-9 advantage for the Nighthawks in second-chance points. Newbury also won the turnover battle, 28-20.

Both teams continue NECC play on Saturday as Elms will visit Dean College while Newbury will host New England College.