SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior guard Angelica Pascual (Lawrence, MA) scored a game-high 20 points as the Mount Holyoke women's basketball team won its first game of the season after defeating host Western New England 66-53 in the third-place game of the Golden Bears Hoop Classic Sunday afternoon (Nov. 20).
The Lyons, who shot 50% from the field, are now 1-2. The Golden Bears fall to 0-2.

MHC also received double digit scoring from senior guard Christine Chancy (Miami, FL) who had 15 points, sophomore guard Annabel Barrett (Williamstown, MA) with 13, and freshman forward Nicole DeMarchena (Miami, FL) with 10.

Pascual made 8-of-15 shots from the field (including a three-pointer) and three-of-four free throws. She also grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists, and collected three steals.

It was a close opening half with Western New England holding a 26-25 lead until the visitors closed the half with six straight points in the final 2:54 for a 31-26 halftime advantage. The Lyons opened the second half with a 7-0 run for a 38-26 lead when freshman forward Amber Legare (Chicopee, MA) made a layup at the 14:28 mark.

Despite not scoring for 10 minute, 36-seconds from the end of the first half until early in the second stanza, the Golden Bears didn't give up getting to within five twice, but couldn't get any closer down the stretch.

Junior center Elena Radzikowski (Medway, MA) led Western New England with 17 points and four rebounds. She scored the Golden Bears first basket with a three-pointer that was the first of her career.

Senior forward Sarah Proper (Coxsackie, NY) tied her career high with 13 points while sophomore guard Ali Pessolano (Hampden, MA) added eight points coming off the bench. Freshman forward Sam McCann (Warren, MA) chipped-in with a team best six rebounds.

WNE junior guard Emily Savino (Ellington, CT) injured her ankle with a little less than two minutes left in the opening half and didn't return.