Fourth Quarter Surge Pushes Southern Vermont Past Women's Basketball

Kaleigh Anderson (@KaleighAnd1)

BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Elms College Women's Basketball team fell to host Southern Vermont College, 58-47, in conference play Wednesday evening. With the loss the Blazers drop to 6-9 on the season and 5-3 in conference, while the Mountaineers improve to 9-6 overall and 6-2 in the NECC.

Southern Vermont struck first just seconds into the competition as Chloe Longe (Enosburg Falls, Vt.) connected with the backboard for two. Alexandra Marques (Newington, Conn.) would reply for Elms contesting a layup of her own to even the playing field giving the Blazers a head start as they would continue on a 10 point run led off the hands of JC Pickett (Chicopee, Mass.) who went 2 for 2 from the field and 2 for 2 at the foul line to give Elms a 10 -4 advantage at the 5:24 mark. A Shaniqwea Barnes (Landover, Md.) jumper softened the deficit down to four however the Blazers would quickly take control once again going 8- for- 8 on the floor consecutively with Mariah Brown (Windsor Locks, Conn.) drawing a foul to add the bonus basket to Ems arsenal.

Heading into the second the Blazers owned a 19-9 score however a Marissa Myers (Chatham, N.Y.) three pointer lite up the Southern Vermont scoreboard helping to keep the Mountaineers alive. Solid play was displayed from both squads as back to back jumpers from Barnes and Marques bumped the score up to 22-11 at the 7:46 mark. Brown and Emily Burr (East Hartford, Conn.) each pulled up for two adding more fuel to Elms fire with five minutes remaining in the quarter. Southern Vermont gained momentum from an Amber Dow (Vergennes, VT.) basket as they continued to rally lowering the deficit to 28-22 at the end of the second.

Opening the third a Marques foul sent Barnes to the line to net two, cutting the deficit to a four point game. Pickett would answer going up for two, however a Longe three pointer for the Mountaineers sparked a drive that was not as visible in the first half.  A Kala Mackenzie (Fair Haven, VT.) jumper along with two from Barnes would tie up the game 31-31 at the 6:34 mark. Dow would then continue on to net another deep three for the Mountaineers giving them the lead. Octavia McAllister (Springfield, Mass.) would aid in the effort for the Blazers securing a layup along with a basket from the line. Burr would follow with a three of her own to highlight the scoreboard in the Blazers favor 37-36. 

The Blazers were up by one opening the forth which got off to a slow start. At the 8:34 mark Flagg would hit a jumper for the Mountaineers giving them the advantage.  Southern Vermont would continue on a ten point run led by Flagg with six. Pickett was able to throw up two for the Blazers which left Elms with a seven point deficit with 4:50 left to play. The Blazers continued to rally with two from Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) as well as a pair of free throws off the hands of Marques, however it wouldn't be enough as the Mountaineers took home the win ending with a 47-58 score.

Pickett led the Blazers with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 steals, shooting 6 –of- 11 from the floor. Marques posted nine points and 10 rebounds in the effort.

The Mountaineers were paced by game high scorer Barnes who collected 20 points going 6-for-16 from the floor and 8-for-9 at the foul line while collecting 20 rebounds.

The Blazers totaled 23.6% from the field (17-72), including 11.8% from the three-point line (2-17), and 57.9% from the foul line (11-19). Southern Vermont shot 27.0% from the floor (17-63) and 72.4% from the foul line (21-29).

The Blazers will return to action with a home NECC contest against Bay Path University Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The Mountaineers will host Regis at home January 23^rd at 1:00 p.m.