(Courtesy of Colby-Sawyer Sports Information)
NEW LONDON, N.H. - The Colby-Sawyer women's basketball team exploded for 43 points second half points en route to a 73-53 victory over Wentworth in The Commonwealth Coast Conference action, Wednesday evening. The Chargers improve to 8-4 in conference play and jump to the fifth spot in the TCCC standings, while the Leopards fall to 7-5 and sit in a tie for 6th place with Western New England.
Colby-Sawyer (11-13) came out of the gate slowly failing to make a field goal for the first 7:27 of the game, but played solid defense to remain within six of the Leopards at 8-2. The Chargers were then sparked by Taylor DeSanty who scored 14 first half points including a three-pointer at the horn to give Colby-Sawyer a 30-28 lead at the break. Wentworth (11-13) spread their scoring around and was led by eight points from junior Kirsten Vallone (Avon, N.Y.).
The Chargers ran out to a 20-point advantage in the first seven minutes of the second frame holding Wentworth to one field goal in that span. Colby-Sawyer pushed their lead to 26 as Wentworth continued to struggle shooting the ball and made five field goals in the second half.
Colby-Sawyer, who is 21-0 against Wentworth all-time, held a 34-10 advantage in the paint and a 42-11 difference in bench scoring.
Taylor DeSanty led all scorers with 19 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds. Terri Duffy recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Duffy moved into a tie for second place on the Colby-Sawyer all-time list for made free throws with 290 and also moved into sole possession of third place in career rebounds with 857.
Katelyn Stravinsky scored 11 points and had six rebounds. Stravinsky scored nine of her points in the second half helping the Chargers improve to 9-0 when leading at the half this season. Maggie Rossi tied her career-high in assists with nine and committed only two turnovers.
Vallone finished with a team best 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Senior Jessie Coffey (Wakefield, R.I.) had 13 points and five rebounds. Wentworth's senior guard Michelle Fauci (Boxford, Mass.) had three steals giving her 100 this season, which broke the single season school record for steals previously held by Lindsey Kist.
The Chargers host the Golden Bears of Western New England College on Saturday in the regular season finale. Tip is scheduled for 3:00 pm with senior day festivities occurring prior to the start. Wentworth also celebrates senior day with a home contest against New England College at 1:00 pm.
