Women's Basketball Defeats Norwich in a Battle at Home

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Women's Basketball team hosted Norwich University in a conference match up Tuesday evening for their National Girls and Women in Sports Day game at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 81 | Norwich University 72
Records: Blazers 7-13, 4-5 (GNAC) | Cadets 8-11, 2-7 (GNAC)

PRIOR TO THE GAME

The Women's Basketball hosted their National Girls and Women in Sports Day game, where they invited the members of the South Hadley St. Pat's CYO and Tolland High School Girls Basketball Teams. The members of the South Hadley St. Pat's CYO team would play a scrimmage during the halftime break.

HOW IT HAPPENED

To start off the first quarter, Norwich would put up the first points, but first year forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.) would answer back with a layup. After the Cadets took an offensive possession, junior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) would pass the ball to junior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.) who would make a three point jump shot. Then junior forward Jenny Gorski (Vernon, Conn.) would steal the ball, but unfortunately the Blazers were not able to put any points on the board. Then Turco was able to make an offensive rebound, which resulted in Graham passing the ball to sophomore guard Jade Lewis (Orlando, Fla.) who would make a three point jump shot. After, Turco was able to make a defensive rebound which resulted in first year guard Gabby Wasiewicz (Worcester, Mass.) making another three pointer for the Blazers. Wasiewicz would steal the ball away from Norwich, then Graham would make another three pointer. This would close the gap by one going into the second quarter. At the end of the first quarter the Cadets held the lead, 15-14. At the start of the second quarter, Elms would put the first point on the board made by a three point jump shot by Graham. Then sophomore guard/forward Shea Barron (Wallingford, Conn.) would make her first three pointer of the night. Then Turco would make a layup that would tie up the game. Then, the Cadets would foul the Blazers and Turco would make two out of the two attempts for free throws. After Norwich takes back the lead, Gorski makes a layup, which was followed by a three point shot made by Barron. Then the Blazers would take back the lead that was scedure by a three point shot made by Wasiewicz. Then graduate student guard Rahmia Johnston (Newton, Conn.) would get a defensive rebound, then would drive the ball to the net to make a layup. After a turnover made by the Cadets, Turco would pass the ball to Wasiewicz who made a three point jump shot. Johnston would rebound the ball and Wasiewicz would make the last three pointer to end the first half. The Blazers end the first half 40-37. 

At the start of the third quarter, the Blazers would put up the first points, made by Graham who made a jump shot. Which was followed by Uribe making both free throw attempts. Then, Turco would steal the ball and tip the ball into the net to put two more points on the board for Elms. Norwich would foul Gorski, who would only make one out of the two free throw attempts. Which was followed by Lewis making another three pointer. Johnston would then make another three pointer. After Norwich closes on the gaps, Turco makes a layup, which was followed by a three pointer made by Lewis. The Cadets would foul the Blazers and Turco would make one out of the two free throw attempts. At the start of the fourth quarter, the ball would go back and forth, but Johnston would make a layup putting two more points on the board for the Blazers. That was then followed by a three pointer assisted by Gorski. Then Lewis would steal the ball and Turco would make another layup. After another back and forth, Wasiewicz would make another three pointer, which was assisted by Johnston. After Johnston made a layup, she was fouled and would make the free throw attempt. Norwich would foul Elms again and this time Lewis would be taking it and she made both free throw attempts. The Blazers would capitalize again after a being foul again and Johnston would make both free throw attempts. Johnston would again be fouled and make both free throw attempts. For the third time this quarter, Johnson would be fouled and again make both free throw attempts. Then to end the second half, Johnston would be fouled again, but would only make one out of the two attempts for a free throw. The Blazers walk away with the win against the Cadets, 81-72.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston - 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal.

• Wasiewicz - 15 points, two rebounds, and a steal.

• Lewis - 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

• Wasiewicz - 15 points, two rebounds, and a steal.

• Turco - 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

• Graham - 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

• Gorski - eight rebounds, three points, two assists, a steal, and a block.

• Barron - six points and an assist.

• Uribe - three assists, two points, two blocks, two rebounds, and two steals.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will travel to Boston, Mass. to play in a conference matchup at Emmanuel College on Thursday, February 6th at 5:30 pm.

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