Women’s Basketball Tops Newbury, 85-50, on Senior Day

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team posted an 85-50 victory over Newbury in the final regular-season contest Saturday afternoon at the Lahue Physical Education Center.

The Lions wrap up the regular season with an 18-7 overall record to go with a 13-5 mark in the New England Collegiate Conference. The Nighthawks move to 10-15 on the year and 8-10 in league action with the result.

Prior to the start of the game, Eastern Nazarene honored the program's four seniors: Alyssa Cosio (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Stella Dulay (Santa Maria, Calif.), Emma Farrow (Blanchester, Ohio), and Tia Torio (Manteca, Calif.). Eastern Nazarene also recognized Newbury seniors Kristen Connors, Taylor Kelly, Allison Kelly, Tylar Barbato, and Savannah Olsen during the pregame ceremony.

Kyra Fleharty (Lewistown, Mont.) poured in a game-high 16 points while adding three boards and two blocks. Courtney Barba (Pismo Beach, Calif.) netted 14 points off the bench. Torio registered 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on the day. Hannah Walls (Santa Maria, Calif.) chipped in with eight points while Dulay scored seven points.

The home side drained five of its first six shot attempts to open the game with a 16-0 run.

The Lions strung together 10 straight points to widen the gap to 30-6 with 1:07 left to play in the first quarter.

Eastern Nazarene boasted a 30-9 advantage at the conclusion of the opening frame.

The hosts reclaimed a 24-point cushion with 6:06 remaining in the second period as Fleharty knocked down a jumper, 36-12.

The Lions capped off the second quarter with 11 unanswered points to go into the halftime intermission leading 52-22.

Eastern Nazarene shot 57.1% from the floor and connected on 5-of-9 from three-point distance in the first half. Newbury was limited to a field-goal percentage of 28.6% and 27.3% shooting from beyond the arc in the first two quarters.

Fleharty paced the Lions at the half with 14 points while Torio notched 10 points and five boards.

The home team started the third quarter with back-to-back baskets by Fleharty and Cosio to extend its lead to 56-22.

Eastern Nazarene outscored the Nighthawks 17-13 in the third frame to own a 69-35 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

The visitors opened the fourth period with eight straight points to cut the deficit to 69-43 with 6:16 remaining in regulation.

The Lions narrowly edged the Nighthawks 16-15 in fourth-quarter scoring to secure their fifth victory in a row.

The Lions concluded the contest with a field-goal percentage of 52.2% while sinking 6-of-13 three-point attempts. The Nighthawks shot 31.1% from the floor and 27.8% from behind the arc on the afternoon.

Jaymesha Sanders paced Newbury with 12 points and seven boards while Taylor Kelley and Meechie Manuel both added eight points.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene will host a NECC Tournament quarterfinal game February 19.