Women’s Basketball Suffers 64-48 Setback at Babson

BABSON PARK, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team endured its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon, falling on the road at Babson 64-48.

The Lions dip to 4-1 on the season with the result while the Beavers remain unbeaten on the year at 10-0.

Courtney Barba (Pismo Beach, Calif.) eclipsed the 1,000-collegiate point marker as she paced the offense with 12 points. Janeth Cruz (Reseda, Calif.) netted seven points and a team-high eight rebounds. Alondra Jimenez (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Nahatabaa Nacona (Chinle, Ariz.), and Moira Phillips (Middlesex, N.J.) all contributed with six points.

After a 20-12 opening quarter in favor of the home team, the visitors held a 14-11 edge in second-quarter scoring to cut the halftime deficit to 31-26.

Babson posted 16 points in the third quarter while limiting Eastern Nazarene to just six points to carry a 47-32 advantage into the final frame.

The Beavers narrowly outscored the Lions 17-16 in the fourth to earn their 10th-straight victory.

Eastern Nazarene managed a field-goal percentage of 27.4% while connecting on 4-of-13 three-point attempts. Babson shot 44.4% from the floor and 41.2% from beyond the arc in the contest.

Nicole Hiller poured in a game-high 16 points to lead the Beavers while Samantha Smith chipped in with 12 points. Katie Jones added 11 points and Kelly Walsh finished with 10 points on the afternoon.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene and Babson will meet March 14 at the Lahue Athletic Center in the weekend series finale.