SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Nichols College freshmanShannon St. Lawrence recorded a double-double with a career-high 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals, but the women's basketball team suffered a 60-52 setback to Western New England University on Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action in Springfield, Mass.
The Bison fall to 3-20 overall on the year and 1-15 in the CCC, while the Golden Bears improve to 15-8 and 11-5 in league games. Nichols returns home on Tuesday night when they host Eastern Nazarene College at 5:30 p.m.
Senior Allison Cerrato chipped in nine points, while classmate Brooke Packard added eight of her own for the Bison. Freshman Beth Laing also scored eight points, with freshman Desiree Rivera adding seven points, nine rebounds, and a pair of blocks. Junior Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio had an all-around game with six points, four rebounds, and six assists.
Western New England was led by a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds from sophomore Courtney Carlson. Classmate Meghan Orbann added 14 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, while junior Meghan Gilhool had nine points seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Senior Dorothy O'Neill and freshman Emily Scurka chipped in eight points apiece.
Nichols shot 40.4% (21-of-52) from the field, 37.5% (6-of-16) from beyond the arc, and 80% (4-of-5) at the free throw line in the setback. Western New England connected on 37.9% (25-of-66) of its shots, including just 21.1% (4-of-19) of its three-pointers, and 66.7% (6-of-9) of its free throws. Nichols won the rebounding margin, 38-33, but committed 27 turnovers leading to 26 points for the Golden Bears which proved to be the difference in the game.
Western New England jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, but the Bison answered with a 10-0 run to grab a 12-6 advantage with 2:36 remaining. St. Lawrence scored five points during the run, while Brooke Packard connected on a three and Beth Laing added a basket. The Golden Bears answered with a run of their own, carrying a 7-0 run into the second quarter to climb back on top 13-12 with 9:48 to play in the half.
St. Lawrence ended the run with a three-pointer to put Nichols back in front 15-13 just over a minute later. After the Golden Bears tied the game at 15-all, the Bison used an 8-2 run capped by a Brooke Packard triple to grab a 23-17 lead with 2:43 to play in the half. Western New England took back the lead in the final minute, but Desiree Rivera spun home a layup before the final horn to give the Bison a 25-24 lead at the half.
A pair of Brooke Packard free throws early in the third quarter put the Bison on top 29-26, but a 10-0 run by the Golden Bears gave Western New England a 36-29 lead with 3:47 remaining in the period. Cerrato scored inside to end the run, but the home team answered with a 7-2 stretch to extend the lead to 43-33 with 1:32 to play.
The Bison would score the final four points of the period as St. Lawrence scored on the break and Rivera converted another layup at the buzzer to make it a 43-37 deficit headed to the final frame.
The two teams traded baskets to start the fourth, and a three from Fithian-Giantonio followed by a score inside from St. Lawrence made it a 47-46 game with 7:12 to play. After Dorothy O'Neill put the Golden Bears on top 49-46 with a jumper, Fithian-Giantonio buried another three-pointer to tie the game at 49-49 and 6:29 remaining.
Unfortunately for the Bison, Western New England ended the game on an 11-3 run to pull away for the 60-52 victory.
All-Time Series
Nichols and Western New England have met 48 times since 1979, and the Golden Bears lead the all-time series, 30-18.