Colonials Surge Past Women's Basketball in Hat City Opener

DANBURY, Conn. – The Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team jumped out to a 22-10 lead after the first quarter of play against Elms College and cruised to an 87-60 victory on the opening day of the Hat City Tournament Friday evening at Feldman Arena.

Scoring in double figures for Western were sophomore Kaitlyn LaBonte (South Windsor, CT) with 17 points, junior Samantha Smith (Wallingford, CT) with 13 points, sophomore Nicole Mierzejewski (Meriden, CT) with 11 points, and junior Alyssa Eannotti (Shelton, CT) with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to record a double-double. 

For Elms, junior Emily Burr (East Hartford, CT) led all scorers with 23 points, followed by senior JC Pickett (Chicopee, MA) with 14 points.

Western scored the game's first five points and led 15-5 midway through the first quarter.  Western took a 22-8 lead after a jumper by junior Emily Dobson (Westerly, RI), but Burr answered with a jumper for Elms to make the score 22-10 after one quarter.

In the second quarter, Western extended its lead to 16 points, 36-20, after a layup by Mierzejewski, but Elms closed the quarter with an 8-2 run to make the score 38-28 at intermission.

Still holding a 10-point lead in the third quarter, 45-35, Western broke the game open with a 19-4 run to take a 64-39 lead.  A pair of Burr free throws made the score 64-41 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, Western extended its lead to 30 points, 82-52, after a layup by freshman Tashai Price (Vernon, CT), and cruised through the final minutes for an 87-60 final margin of victory.

For the game, Western held a 26-23 advantage in rebounds, as well as a 20-7 edge in assists.  Western finished shooting 44.6% from the floor and 66.7% from the line, while Elms hit 29.2% and 72.4%, respectively.

With the win, Western improves to 2-0 on the season, while Elms falls to 0-3.  The Colonials return to action on Saturday, November 21, when they play in the championship game of the Hat City Tournament against the winner of Friday's second game which features Roger Williams University against Purchase College.  Game time is scheduled for 4:00pm.  Elms will face the loser in a consolation game at 2:00pm.

Source: (Western Connecticut State Athletics)