Women's Basketball Fends Off Daniel Webster On The Road

Kaleigh Anderson (@KaleighAnd1)

NASHUA, N.H. – The Elms College women's basketball squad defeated New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) foe Daniel Webster College, 73-67, in a back-and-forth battle Tuesday evening at Mario Vagge Gymnasium. With the win, the Blazers rise to 11-8 overall and 9-3 in the NECC, while the Eagles fall to 4-8 in conference play, and 6-13 on the season.

Senior Emily Burr (East Hartford, Conn.) came out hot for Elms posting the first basket of the night just nine seconds into the contest. From there, Elms indulged on at 13-4 stint, capped by a three-point blast off the hands of sophomore Kayla Aberdale (Housatonic, Mass.). Despite Eagle efforts from junior Escarlin Reynoso (Lawrence, Mass.) and senior Briana Diggs (Washington, D.C.), Elms produced the last score of the first as Aberdale connected from the charity stripe to send Elms into the second owning an 18-8 scoreboard.

Reynoso opened the second quarter with a three point stinger from the outside to initiate the Eagle comeback as they continued on a 12-2 stint, headed by junior Natasha Santana's (Lawrence, Mass.) five tallies to bring Daniel Webster within one. Senior Alexandra Marques (Newington, Conn.) responded for the Blazers with a connection off the glass followed by back-to-back Burr finds from three-point range to keep the Elms lead live and well eventually sending the Blazers into the locker room owning a 34-25 advantage.

Junior Mackenzie LaRochelle (Chicopee, Mass.) kept momentum strong as she connected from the charity stripe in the opening minute of third quarter action followed by a layup. From there, Reynoso went 3-for-4 from the stripe for Daniel Webster while finding a home off the glass for an additional two to keep hope alive for the Eagles. At the 6:32 marker a Burr three rang loud lengthening the Elms advantage to which they nursed until the end of the quarter despite numerous Eagles attempts. 

With a 53-43 scoreboard Reynoso posted an outside three to start off the final quarter. Elms combatted with a pair of Marques connections from the stripe as the squad posted a seven-point run headed by Burr with a layup and score from the line producing a 60-46 board. Reynoso kept pushing for the Eagles connecting off the glass and adding an additional three point flare to push momentum, nevertheless Elms closed strong, outscoring the Eagles 6-3 in the final two minutes of action to finish owning a 73-67 score.

The Blazers had four scorers in double figures, led by Burr, who logged 16 points alongside 10 rebounds capturing her second double-double of the season. Marques totaled 14 points with 13 rebounds for her 12^th double-double of the season, LaRochelle connected for 16 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Chaniah Pantry (New Haven, Conn.) totaled her third double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds for Elms.

The Eagles were paced by Reynoso's game-high 26 points as she went 9-for-18 from the floor. Santana totaled 16 points in the effort, while Diggs captured a team high 12 rebounds.

The Blazers edged the Eagles in rebounds, 63-40, and assists, 19-15. Elms connected on 35.3% (24-68) from the field and 35.7% (5-14) from three point range. Daniel Webster shot 34.2% (25-73) from the floor and 75.0% (12-16) from the free throw stripe.

The Blazers will look to remain in the win column as they travel to Becker College for February 2^nd for a 5:00 p.m. start time. The Eagles will travel to Mitchell February 2^nd for a 5:00 p.m. start as well.  

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