Women's Basketball Edged At Wheelock

Kaleigh Anderson (@KaleighAnd1)

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Elms College Women's Basketball team fell to host Wheelock College, 52-50, in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) play Saturday afternoon. With the loss the Blazers drop to 4-7 on the season, while the Wildcats improve to 7-2 overall.

Tensions held high during the opening minutes of play as quick back to back layups were produced for both squads off the hands of Katie Wash (East Islip, N.Y.)  and Mariah Brown (Windsor Locks, Conn.) quickly setting the pace for the NECC matchup.  After a Brown defensive rebound and a fast play to JC Pickett (Chicopee, Mass) the Blazers took control of the 4-2 lead at the 8:38 mark.  A Michelle Woods (Wilmington, Mass.) foul would sent Emily Burr (East Hartford, Conn.) to the line to net one of two to bring the Blazers lead up to three. However, the Wildcats surged back with a Walsh basket to even the playing field 5-4 at the 7:01 tally. Play would continue steady into the remainder of the quarter with the Wildcats not taking their first lead until the 4:14 mark off of a Kayla Corshia (Medway, Mass.) jumper. Wheelock would hold onto this momentum to close out the first as they began an eight point run sparked by Corshia with four tallies.

The Wildcats kept up with their high speed attack at the start of the second as Woods was able to light up the scoreboard only 15 seconds in off of a free throw opportunity. Kayla Aberdale (Housatonic, Mass.) was able to ring up her first three of the afternoon for Elms at the 7:59 mark lowering the Blazers deficit to 17-15. At 3:49  Aberdale would hit her second three of the quarter in an attempt to close in on the Wildcats lead, however they would remain on top coming out of the second owning a 28-20 advantage.

After the locker room the Blazers came out starting the third with a new perspective as two Alexandra Marques (Newington, Conn.)  layups beginning at the 8:04 mark sent Elms on a six point run to bring the Blazers back within four. Two Pickett free throws and a Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) jumper would set the stage for the Blazers attempted comeback after previously being down eight at the start of the quarter. Although Walsh was sent to the line picking up two for Wheelock Elms continued to progress as Brown and LaRochelle connected with the backboard to bring the lead within reach as the Blazers trailed by two with a 34-36 score at the 1:24 mark. Pickett would close out the quarter securing a last minute layup with 11 seconds remaining to tie things up 36-36 heading into the fourth.

The pressure was on at the start of the quarter with both teams looking to expand a lead. LaRochelle connected with the net for Elms to get the ball rolling, however Walsh was not far behind for Wheelock tallying a free throw along with a layup to take the one point lead with 8:01 remaining. Brown and LaRochelle kept up the pressure securing a basket apiece for Elms giving the Blazers the advantage up until Brianna Hochwarter (Attleboro, Mass.) connected at the arch for three tying the contest once again with a 42-42 score. After a minute of play Woods would light things up for the Wildcats followed by Marques producing a basket for the Blazers. A Blazer foul sent HochWarter to the line where she would secure three free throws for Wheelock with 4:41 left to play. LaRochelle would then head down the court two produce two sending the back and forth game on to its next spin. As the quarter got closer to its end Wheelock remained on top owning a 51-47 lead over the visiting Blazers.  Nevertheless, Elms did not go down without a fight as Aberdale blasted a three point bullet from the arch closing the deficit and creating a one point contest with 46 seconds remaining.  A Wildcats turnover gave Elms possession where they had the ability to control their fate. Brown went for an Elms layup but could not connect forcing a Pickett foul sending Walsh to the line for two securing the victory for Wheelock.

LaRochelle led the Blazers with 13 points, three rebounds, and 2 assists, shooting 6 –of- 9 from the floor. Pickett posted 10 points and 10 rebounds in the effort.

The Wildcats were paced by game high scorer Walsh who collected 18 points going 5- for- 11 on the floor while collecting 14 rebounds. Corshia tallied 12 points and five rebounds for Wheelock.

The Blazers edged the Bears in points in the paint (28-24) and bench points (22-4). The Blazers totaled 32.8% from the field (21-64), including 17.6% from the three-point line (3-17), and 50.0% from the foul line (5-10). Wheelock shot 30.0% from the floor (18-60), 12.5% from three point range (1-8), and 75.0% from the foul line (15-20).

The Blazers will travel to Becker for a conference tilt Tuesday, January 12^th at 6:00 p.m. The Wildcats will host Lesley at home January 12^th at 6:30 p.m.