Ayala, Paquet Power Women’s Hoops Past SUNY Canton Friday, 80-68

CANTON, N.Y.- Anaira Ayala (Guaynabo, P.R.) poured in 26 points and Alexandria Paquet (Santa Maria, Calif.) tallied 24 points to lead the Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team to a crucial 80-68 win at SUNY Canton Friday afternoon.

THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 80, SUNY Canton 68
Records: Lions (10-8, 5-4 NAC) | Roos (14-4, 6-2 NAC)

                               
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Eastern Nazarene boasted a 23-18 lead through the opening 10 minutes of action.
• The Lions outscored the Roos 19-14 in the second frame to own a 42-32 advantage at the break.
• The guests held a narrow 22-20 edge in third-quarter scoring to widen their lead to 64-52 heading to the fourth.
• Eastern Nazarene expanded the gap to 76-57 with 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter on a basket by Anaira Ayala (Guaynabo, P.R.).
• Both squads chalked up 16 points in the final frame as the Lions locked up a key 80-68 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:             

• Anaira Ayala (Guaynabo, P.R.) splashed a career-high six treys on the day to finish with a career-high 26 points off the bench.
• Alexandria Paquet (Santa Maria, Calif.) netted a season-high 24 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.
• Molly Smith (Hudson, N.H.) chipped in with 10 points and four boards off the bench.
• Sabanna Berrios (Providence, R.I.) grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds while Eva Graf (Mather, Calif.) collected 10 boards.
• Kayla Taylor (Lompoc, Calif.) added six rebounds, five steals, and four blocks.
• Eastern Nazarene posted a field-goal percentage of 37.3% while draining 12-of-30 from beyond the arc.
• SUNY Canton shot 39.7% from the floor while being limited to just 4-of-19 from three-point distance
• Torie Moore led the Roos with 16 points off the bench while Sierra Pabo scored 13 points and Samantha Dayter registered 12 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Eastern Nazarene hosts Vermont State Johnson January 21 on Senior Day.