Blazer Women Top SVC, 56-46

BENNINGTON, Vt. – Niah Pantry (New London, Conn.) paced the Elms College women's basketball team with an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double and the Blazers picked up a 56-46 win at Southern Vermont on Thursday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference play.

Pantry hit 7-of-13 from the field and grabbed four of her rebounds on the offensive end to lead the Elms charge. It was her fourth double-double of the season, and ninth double-digit scoring performance, including third in a row. Angelica Peguero-Flores (Springfield, Mass.) added eight points and 10 rebounds for Elms, and Molly Moulton (North Adams, Mass.) added eight points and three assists.

Elms took a 14-9 lead into the second quarter, then smothered the Mountaineers (4-12, 2-7 NECC) in the second, holding SVC to just 2-for-12 (16.7 percent) from the field while forcing seven turnovers. After outscoring SVC 14-4 in the second quarter, the Blazer lead ballooned to 28-13 at halftime. Elms led comfortably throughout the second half, building the advantage to as many as 18 points with 3:21 to play before Southern Vermont trimmed the deficit in the final minutes. With the win, the Blazers improve to 8-8 overall and 4-5 in NECC play.

Elms out-rebounded Southern Vermont 41-32 in the game and scored 11 second-chance points on 13 offensive rebounds. The Blazers shot 41.8 percent (23-of-55) from the field shile SVC hit 34.6 percent (18-of-52). Each team committed 22 turnovers.

Brenna Hudson (Malone, N.Y.) led Southern Vermont with 13 points and six rebounds. Hudson was perfect from the field, going 6-for-6. Taylor Mallett (Berwick, Maine) added nine points and eight assists for the Mountaineers and Maddy Main (Bennington, Vt.) grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.

Both teams continue NECC play on Saturday (Jan. 19) as Elms will visit Bay Path while Southern Vermont travels to New England College.