QUINCY, Mass. – Eastern Nazarene scored 20 points in the first and final quarter to overpower Wentworth Institute of Technology in non-conference women's basketball action, 77-36, on Tuesday evening inside the Lahue PE Center.
The Lions shot 42.9% in the first stanza and built an early 11-4 lead at the halfway point after a three-pointer from junior Shante Slender (Mesa, Ariz.). Eastern Nazarene continued to put the pressure on with a 6-0 run before Wentworth junior Emily Magasic (West Milford, N.J.) sunk a layup for the 17-6 score, but another trey from the Lions – this time from sophomore Seniesha Sekaquaptewa (Scottsdale, Ariz.), ended the first frame at 20-7.
Wentworth scored 10 points in the second quarter, led by sophomore Erin Morton (Norway, Maine) with five, but the gap was too large to squander, as Eastern Nazarene (2-1) held a commanding 38-17 lead at halftime. The Lions kept their foot on the gas, and exploded for a 13-0 run coming out of the locker room, before scoring another 20 points to close the out their home opener on a high note.
Sophomore Stephanie Mini (Topsfield, Mass.) led the Leopard offense with 12 points and six rebounds, while Morton chipped in with nine points, five boards, and three assists.
Eastern Nazarene junior Kyra Fleharty (Lewistown, Mont.) scored a game-high 17 points (8-for-14) and grabbed six rebounds to lead the hosts to victory. All players that saw the court scored at least two points in the winning effort.
Wentworth (0-2) returns to action this weekend in Norton, Mass. for the Wheaton Tip-off Tournament. The Leopards will face Rhode Island College on Friday at 7:30 p.m., before closing out the tournament against the host Lyons on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The tournament will be played in memory of Cheryl Warren-Powers, who passed away in 2012 and was a standout women's basketball and softball athlete at Wheaton. The Lyons will have a suggested donation for admission of $5 for the Friday contest, and all proceeds will go directly to Cheryl's twins, Jordan and Craig, and will also be accepted to benefit the Little Angels of Warren-Powers Memorial Fund.
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