BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore forward Emily Anderson (Rocky Hill, Conn.) lead all scorers with 18 points while also collecting three rebounds, as the Western New England women's basketball team shot 65.4 percent from the floor in the second half, en route to a 74-48 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in Commonwealth Coast Conference play on Thursday night at Tansey Gymnasium.
With the win the Golden Bears improve to 9-4 overall and 4-3 in CCC play while the Leopards fall to 3-11 (1-6).
The Golden Bears opened the game on a 9-2 run, including five straight points. The visitors held a seven point lead numerous times and saw good offensive play from Anderson, who scored 10 points in the first half. Wentworth cut the lead down to three following a pair of jump shots from freshmen Courtney McCormick (Hanson, Mass.) and Haley Sabino (Topsfield, Mass.) to make the score 18-15. Western New England responded by finishing the half on a 15-4 run to take a 33-19 lead into the half. Western New England had 12 points off the bench in the first 20:00.
A Sammie Olson (Tolland, Conn.) three pointer opened the half and put the visitors up by 17 points. Sophomore Rachael Camara (Fall River, Mass.) responded with a trifecta of her own and a junior Carly Rogers (Scarborough, Maine) layup brought the game within 12 points. However, the Golden Bear offense continued rolling, as they put together a 14-2 run to go up 50-26 and would lead by as much as 31 points with under two minutes remaining.
Anderson scored her 18 points in 17 minutes of play as she connected on 6-of-11 shots, including going 4-for-5 from behind the three-point line. Junior Chelsea Vujs (Berlin, Conn.) had 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while senior Samantha McCann (Warren, Mass.) had 10 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Sammie Battaini (Leominster, Mass.) had six assists. The Golden Bears held a 40-23 rebounding edge.
Rogers led the Leopards with 14 points to go along with four rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Camara scored 10 points, while freshman Riselly Deoleo (Manchester, N.H.) had seven points, three rebounds, and four assists, and senior Anne Harris (Germantown, Md.) added seven of her own.
Both teams continue CCC play on Saturday as Western New England hosts Endicott and Wentworth hosts Nichols.
