Third Quarter Run Lifts Nichols Past Women's Basketball

BOSTON, Mass. – Five Nichols College student-athletes scored in double figures, including graduate student Kiera Fernandes (Franklin, Mass.), who had a game-high 16 as the Bison defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology, 81-57, in Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball action Tuesday night.

With the win the Bison improve to 111-11 overall and 6-7 in league play while the Leopards stand at 4-16 (0-13).

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Nichols jumped out to a 6-2 lead 1:37 into the contest and led, 11-4, with 5:34 left after a jumper from sophomore Adrianna Romano (Newington, Conn.). Sophomore Regan Madonia (Corrales, N.M.) and junior Maddy Foster (Lewiston, Maine) hit back-to-back baskets to pull the Leopards to within three (11-8) with 3:08 left. A three pointer from graduate student Leandra Ortiz (Queens, N.Y.) gave the Bison a 14-8 lead after the first quarter.
• Sophomore Alyvia Smith (Fitchburg, Mass.) opened the second quarter with a three to up the lead ti 17-8, however, junior Gabby Amoddio (Wethersfield, Conn.) scored five straight points to make it 17-13 with 8:01 left. Nichols upped their lead to as many as six (24-18) on one of two free throws from Smith before a 10-5 Wentworth spurt brought the Black & Gold to within a single point (29-28) with 2:18 left after an Amoddio jumper. Fernandes hit a three to make it 32-28 with 55 seconds left before freshman Samantha Jones (Beverly, Mass.) cut the lead to two (32-30) at the break. Wentworth had a 22-18 scoring edge in the second quarter.
• Nichols opened the third quarter on a 10-4 run, taking a 42-34 lead with 7:26 left on a senior Abrianna Vazquez (Dedham, mass.) layup with 7:26 left. Amoddio and Madonia cut into the led with back-to-back jumpers, making it a 42-38 game with 6:39 to play. The Bison used a 15-3 run to extend their lead to 57-41 with 2:51 left in the third and led, 64-44, after three quarters of play and built on their lead in the fourth quarter.
• Amoddio posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Madonia had 10 points and seven rebounds. Foster added eight points and 10 rebounds while Jones scored seven points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Wentworth had a commanding, 56-37 advantage on the glass.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth is at Gordon on Saturday.

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