Late Offensive Was Not Enough to Stop Saints

CHICOPEE, MA - The Elms College Women's Basketball team lost a conference matchup against Emmanuel College (Mass.) at home Saturday afternoon in Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 67 | Emmanuel College 78
Records: Blazers 9-12, 3-7 (GNAC) | Saints 10-10, 7-2 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First-year Jade Lewis (Orlando, FL) led the Blazers in a tough game early on in the first quarter, as she was determined to put the team on her back to break the Blazers four game losing streak. Emmanuel continued to stay in the game through their offense. Lewis got some help from other Blazers such as graduate student Julianne Liebow and senior Rahmia Johnston (Trumbull, CT), as the Blazers and Saints fought for the lead early on. Graduate student Brianna Metellus (Springfield, MA) hit a late three pointer to tie the score at 23 heading into the second. If the Blazers could keep pace on the offensive end, they were going to have a shot to win the game. Elms went on a little scoring drought early on in the second quarter, falling behind by double digits. Metellus scored another three pointer at the end of the quarter, but the Blazers only scored 10 points during the second quarter, falling behind 44-33 at halftime. 

Johnston and sophomore Talia Uribe (South Hadley, MA) contributed some free throws and layups of their own to keep the deficit manageable, but the Blazers couldn't stop Emmanuel on the defensive end. The Saints scored at will inside, preventing the Blazers from cutting into an Emmanuel 10 point. Elms had no answers during the third quarter, falling behind by 19 points, and needing a late fourth quarter run. Emmanuel briefly extended their lead to 20, but Johnston scored a handful of baskets of her own to bring the Blazers to within 15. Liebow and junior Soliyana Asfaw (West Orange, NJ) would both hit a three-pointer to attempt to chip away into the Saints lead, but Emmanuel had already built a large lead. Elms fought tough, but at the end of the game, they had lost their fifth-straight game 78-67.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Lewis: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
• Johnston: 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals
• Uribe: 14 points, 6 rebounds

UP NEXT: The Blazers will be at home on Wednesday, February 7, against Regis College at 7 P.M.

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