Blazer Women Fall To NEC, 66-56

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College women's basketball team couldn't quite keep up with New England College in the second half on Tuesday, falling to the Pilgrims 66-56 in New England Collegiate Conference play.

The Blazers (7-8, 3-5 NECC) led by a point, 36-35, at halftime, but were outscored 11-4 in a slow third quarter and were unable to make up for it in the fourth.

Niah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.) and McKenzie Huria (Terryville, Conn.) each scored 10 points for the Blazers. Pantry added eight rebounds and hit 4-of-5 from the field before fouling out. Angelica Peguero-Flores (Springfield, Mass.) grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and added six points, and Molly Moulton (North Adams, Mass.) chipped in with eight points for the Blazers.

Rene Hudson (Gallatin, Tenn.) led NEC (7-7, 6-2 NECC) with 20 points and added eight boards. Jaz Laracuente (Dorchester, Mass.) added 16 points for the Pilgrims. NEC blocked nine Blazer shots in the game, including a team-high four blocks from Kayla Goldring (Hollywood, Md.). Goldring also added a team-high 10 rebounds to go with eight points.

The Blazers shot 33.9 percent from the field for the game, a shooting percentage that was damaged by a 1-for-15 performance in the third quarter. The Pilgrims, meanwhile, shot 36.8 percent from the field and edged Elms on the glass, 47-45. Elms turned the ball over 25 times, leading to 16 NEC points.

The Blazers will visit Southern Vermont on Jan. 17 as NECC play resumes. NEC will be back on action on Thursday as well, hosting Lesley.