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Strong Second Half Pushes Western New England Past Women's Basketball

Strong Second Half Pushes Western New England Past Women's Basketball

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior Dorothy O'Neill (Staten Island, N.Y.) came off the bench to score 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting as the Western New England women's basketball team picked up an 82-54 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in Commonwealth Coast Conference action Saturday afternoon.

With the win the Golden Bears improve to 15-6 overall and improve to 11-3 in CCC play while the Leopards fall to 2-19 (0-14).

Wentworth took a 4-0 lead early in the first quarter on baskets from senior Kellie Messer (Hollis, N.H.) and sophomore Francesca Matira (Ledyard, Conn.). Western New England responded with a 10-2 run and took a 10-6 lead on a senior Emily Anderson (Rocky Hill, Conn.) layup. After sophomore Baylor Johnson (Greer, S.C.) cut the deficit in half, the Golden Bears outscored the Black & Gold 12-6 over the remainder of the quarter to lead 22-14.

The Leopards trailed by five with 2:49 left in the half after a junior Haley Sabino (Topsfield, Mass.) however the hosts ended the half on a 9-3 run and took a 38-27 lead into the locker room.

Western New England opened the third quarter on a 17-3 run and took a 55-30 lead on a three pointer form O'Neill with just over four minutes left in the frame. The Golden Bears led, 64-41, after three quarters.

Matira opened the fourth quarter by hitting a three to bring the Leopards within 20, however a quick, 7-2 spurt brought the lead back to 25.

In addition to O'Neill, Anderson added 13 points and seven rebounds while senior Paige Young (Berlin, Conn.) had 11 rebounds.

Sabino had 12 points to lead the Leopards while Johnson chipped in with 11 as she was perfect from both the floor (3-for-3) and the free throw line (4-for-4).

Wentworth is at Salve Regina on Wednesday.

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