Women's Basketball Falls to Westfield State

WESTFIELD, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball traveled to Westfield State University in a non-conference matchup Tuesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 49 | Westfield State University 89
Records: Blazers 2-4, 0-0 (GNAC) | Owls 5-2, 0-0 (MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Westfield State would be the first to score after a jump shot and would try to quickly add to their lead, but graduate guard Rahmia Johnston (Newtown, Conn.) would make a block to keep the score 2-0. The two intrastate opponents would trade possession until sophomore guard Jade Lewis (Orlando, Fla.) would make a steal and breakaway for a layup to tie the game. The Blazers defense would hold strong, but the Owls would draw fouls and would successfully make free throw attempts to add to their narrow lead, 5-2. Westfield State would then make a three-point shot, Elms would quickly respond by a three-pointer of their own from junior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) after finding a pass from sophomore guard/forward Sophia Andrade (Southwick, Mass.). Shortly after, LeBel would then take a trip to the free throw line, make one of the two shots, and make a steal that would lead into a successful free throw attempt by junior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.). The two sides would again trade possession, which would see a layup by Lewis and a steal from Johnston to bring the game to a one point differential. After the Owls attempted shots, but were unsuccessful, the Blazers would take the lead 13-11, after Andrade connected with Uribe for a jump shot and Lewis would make another layup. But as the opening quarter ended, Westfield State would take back the lead 14-13. The second quarter would begin by the Owls would continue their first quarter momentum making back-to-back three-point shots. Elms would try to counter offensively after a successful layup attempt by junior forward Jenny Gorski (Vernon, Conn.). The two sides would again trade possession, but Westfield State would continue to add to their lead, but the Blazers defense would try to create some offensive moments after a steal by LeBel and block from Gorski. Uribe and Gorski would both make trips to the free throw line, sinking four shots for Elms, but the Owls would hold their lead going into the halftime break 40-21.

The third quarter would once again see Westfield State be the first to score, but the Blazers would answer quickly after a layup by first year forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.) and a three-point shot and layup by Johnston to trim the lead momentarily, until the Owls added an additional three points to their lead. As Westfield State extended their lead, Johnston sank another three-point shot, made two more steals, and Andrade would make a layup, with Lewis assisting both shots, to make the score 50-33. As the clock wound down for the end of the third quarter, Lewis and Johnston would both take trips to the line, making three of the attempted shots, and Elms would see three-pointers from Johnston and sophomore guard/forward Shea Barron (Wallingford, Conn.), but Westfield State would hold their lead going into the fourth quarter 63-42. The Owls would once again begin with upperhand in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points in the opening minutes. As the quarter went on, the two sides would trade possession, but Westfield State would continue to find the occasional basket. As the final minutes ticked off the clock, Johnston would find an open junior forward Ta'Niyah Scott (Towson, Md.) for a layup, but the Owls would defeat the Blazers 89-49 in the non-conference contest.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston - 15 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.

• Lewis - 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

• Uribe - seven points and five rebounds.

• Gorski - 14 points, four points, an assist, and a block.

• LeBel - four points, two steals, and a rebound.

• Barron - three points, two assists, and a rebound.

• Turco - three rebounds and two points.

• Andrade - six rebounds, two assists, and two points.

• Scott - two points and a rebound.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will take a break for Thanksgiving and will host Wellesley on Tuesday, December 3rd at 7 pm at Picknelly Arena.

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