Springfield, Mass. - February 2, 2022 - After playing its last two games on the road, the Springfield College women's basketball program defeated Clark University, 87-43, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) on Wednesday evening in Blake Arena.
Springfield, who is ranked No. 14 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III Coaches Top 25 poll, improve to 17-2 on the season, while Clark falls to 6-12. Springfield shot 55.2% from the field on 37-of-67 from the floor and assisted on 31 of those baskets. The hosts limited the Cougars to just 24.6% shooting on the game and outrebounded Clark, 48-32.
The Pride carried a balanced attack as five players scored in double figures. Angela Czeremcha (West Springfield, Mass.) led all scorers with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Stephanie Lyons (Boston, Mass.) nailed five threes en route to 17 points and added seven assists with zero turnovers. Grace Dzindolet (Holliston, Mass.) pitched in 13 points in the victory, while Amanda Carr (West Haven, Conn.) scored 10 points off the bench for Springfield.
Hannah Favalaro led Clark with 16 points and Emily Sifferlen notched 11 points in the setback.
After the visitors jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead at the 7:33 mark, Springfield poured on a 19-0 run over the following four minutes highlighted by the inside presence of Czeremcha and the playmaking of Dzindolet. The scoring burst was capped off as Summer Matlack (Arlington, Va.) sent a cross court pass up to Dzindolet for the contested fast break score to make the score 19-5 with 2:03 left in the quarter. The Cougars were able to cut the deficit to just 10 points after Favaloro scored inside as time expired in the quarter to make the score 23-13.
Springfield scored 11 unanswered points to start the second quarter to increase its lead to 34-13 with 7:12 to play as Kayla Madden (Ashland, Mass.) knocked in a deep wing triple off the kick from Lyons. After Favaloro scored through contact and made the free throw to dip into the 34-16 lead, Springfield continued to build its lead as it carried a 50-22 lead into half following a three from Lyons.
The Pride continued to commit to the defensive end and limited Clark to just five points in the third quarter on 2-of-10 shooting from the floor. Czeremcha scored seven of her 18 points in the frame. Another three pointer from Lyons increased to 72-27 with a minute to go in the third quarter. Czeremcha would score a inside bucket and a turnaround jumper with 2:39 to play to give Springfield its largest lead of the contest at 83-34. Linsdey Laughlin () capped off the victory with a basket downlow allowing Springfield to roll to the 87-43 win.
No. 14/23 Springfield hosts WPI on Saturday, February 5 at 3:00.
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