Women's Hoops Takes Down AMCats

PAXTON, MA - The Elms College Women's Basketball team won their conference matchup against Anna Maria College on the road Thursday night.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 81 | Anna Maria College 73
Records: Blazers 10-14, 4-9 (GNAC) | Amcats 9-15, 3-10 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms found themselves in a tight game early, as they exchanged the lead with Anna Maria multiple times. Senior Rahmia Johnston (Trumbull, CT) and first-year Jade Lewis (Orlando, FL) contributed a majority of the scoring, as both were determined to break the Blazers length losing streak. The Amcats took back the lead midway through the first quarter and held it through the end of the period. In the second quarter, graduate students Julianne Liebow and Brianna Metellus (Springfield, MA) chipped in with baskets of their own for the Blazers. Elms got to the lane easily and hit open jump shots and three pointers to keep them in the game. With three minutes left in the quarter, Metellus hit a three pointer to give the Blazers a 2 point lead, but the Amcats were stubborn about giving up their lead. Liebow made a tough jump shot with a couple seconds left in the half to make the score 41-40 Anna Maria. With only a 1 point deficit, Elms was confident that they could take the lead in the second half and win the game.

Anna Maria jumped out to a 7 point lead early on in the third quarter, but the shooting of Lewis and inside post play of sophomore Talia Uribe (South Hadley, MA) kept the Blazers in the game. Both players were key to the Blazers all night, as Lewis made timely shots and Uribe got to the basket with ease. Elms got the deficit down to 4 with a minute in the quarter left, and a made layup and jump shot by Lewis and first-year Sophia Andrade (Southwick, MA) tied the game at 60 going into the fourth quarter. Liebow's shooting helped the Blazers take their first lead early on in the fourth, but the Blazers couldn't shake Anna Maria. With a little bit of a lead, Elms played tough defense on the Amcats, limiting their scoring. Elms used this tough defense to propel their offense, two consecutive three pointers by Metellus and Liebow gave the Blazers their first double digit lead. With a couple late free throws, Elms won the game against Anna Maria 81-73, keeping their play-in hopes alive. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Metellus recorded 14 points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist.

• Liebow led the Blazers 23 points, four rebounds, two steals, and an assist to her season totals.

• Lewis added 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

• Uribe noted 10 points, 6 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

• Johnston recorded seven points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals.

UP NEXT: The Blazers will be away for their final regular season game on Saturday, February 17, against Lasell University in Newton, MA at 2 P.M.

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