Salem State Get By Women's Basketball in Home Opener

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball hosted Salem State University in a non-conference matchup Thursday evening, for their home opener of the 2024-25 season.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 51 | Salem State University 74
Records: Blazers 2-2, 0-0 (GNAC) | Vikings 1-4, 0-0 (MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms would be the first to score after a layup by junior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.), which followed a steal by junior forward Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.). Moments later Graham would make a three-point shot to increase the Blazers lead 5-0 after finding a pass from first year forward Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.). Salem State would make back-to-back layups and two three-point shots to take the lead 10-5. Turco would come to the free throw line and would make one of the two attempts. The two sides would trade possession for the majority of the first quarter, with the Blazers seeing a layup by sophomore guard Jade Lewis (Orlando, Fla.) and steals by graduate guard Rahmia Johnston (Newtown, Conn.), Turco, and Lewis, but the Vikings would have the 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter would begin by Lewis connecting with Johnston for a three-pointer to bring the game back to within a point, but Salem State would regain their momentum scoring four more points. The intrastate opponents would trade possession until Salem State would score on a layup, followed by a three-point play by Johnston. The Vikings would record two points after another layup, but the Blazers would quickly respond with another layup, this time by Graham, to bring the score to 20-16 Salem State. As halftime approached, the Vikings would extend their lead to six points, but Graham would cause a steal and drain a three-point shot to cut down the deficit to three points. Junior forward Jenny Gorski (Vernon, Conn.) would make a layup along with a steal and Turco would record a block, but Salem State would add to their lead and go into the halftime break with a 29-21 lead.

The Vikings would come out of the halftime break with the early advantage, scoring six points in the opening minute of the third quarter. Moments later, Graham would draw a foul after attempting a three-point shot, so she would come to the line and would make each of the three attempts, bringing the differential back to 10 points. As the quarter continued, Turco and Johnston would each record free throws, but Salem State would continue to add to their lead after a layup. Turco would record a layup along with a jump shot by Lewis, and a pair of free throws by Johnston and Lewis would trim the lead momentarily, but the Vikings would secure their lead over the Blazers going into the final quarter, 51-34. The fourth quarter would begin with free throws from both sides, with Lewis taking shots for Elms, with both sides making one each. As Salem State would continue to add to their lead, the Blazers would continue their efforts to get back into the game, with a three-pointer by first year guard Autumn Koch (Goldsboro, Penn.), steals by Gorski Lewis Koch, Phonia Guerrier (Springfield, Mass.), and made free throws by Johnston Uribe Lewis Turco, Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.), sophomore guard Shea Barron (Wallingford, Conn.), Guerrier, and senior Danajah Stokes (Savannah, Ga.), but the Vikings would spoil the home opener for Elms, by winning the game 74-51.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Graham - 13 points, four rebounds, and a steal.

• Johnston - 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals.

• Lewis - eight points, five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

• Turco - seven rebounds, six points, a block, steal, and an assist.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will travel to Wenham, Mass. to face off against Gordon College on Saturday, November 23rd at 1 pm.

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