Blazers Drop Season Opener To Salem State

CHICOPEE, MA – The Elms College women's basketball team opened up their 2019-2020 season Saturday afternoon at Picknelly Arena. The Blazers would fall to the visiting Salem State Vikings 61-56.

The two teams exited the first quarter tied at 16-apiece. The Blazers would take a 27-26 lead in the second off of McKenzie Huria's (Terryville, CT) six points. Salem State closed the half with five straight points, including a three-pointer that gave the Vikings a four-point advantage 31-27 at the break.

The two teams battled through the third, Tynisha Thomas (New Haven, CT) would lead the way for Elms scoring five points in the quarter, but Salem State would hold a 45-39 advantage heading into the fourth. The Vikings held off a comeback bid by the Blazers in the final period, who shot 7-16 (43.8%) from the floor and managed to take a 54-53 lead with 3:40 remaining following a three-pointer by Shannon Cullen (Brookfield, CT.). However, Salem State limited Elms to just one basket the rest of the way and took the win 61-56.

The Elms bench would be big pouring in 33 points in the loss. McKenzie Huria led the Blazers with 13 points while Jalin Waters (Waterbury, CT) chipped in with nine points. Elms shot 20-54 (37.0%) from the floor including 9-20 (45.0%) from three-point range. The Blazers took only two free throws, finishing 1-2 (50.0%) from the line.

Elms is back in action on Tuesday night when they host Lasell University at 7PM.