Women’s Hoops Knocks Off New England College in NECC-Opener, 71-68

HENNIKER, N.H.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team edged New England College 71-68 Saturday afternoon in the first New England Collegiate Conference contest of the season.

THE BASICS:
Score: Eastern Nazarene 71, New England College 68
Records: Lions (6-11, 1-0 NECC) | Pilgrims (7-7, 0-1 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The home team clung to a narrow 24-21 edge after a tightly-contested opening quarter.
• Eastern Nazarene outscored New England College 20-15 in the second period to hold a 41-39 advantage at the midway point of the game.
• The Pilgrims closed out the third frame with an 11-0 run to sport a 58-50 advantage.
• The Lions pulled even at 62-62 with 4:55 remaining in regulation on a layup by Anaira Ayala (Guaynabo, P.R.) and regained the lead on a basket by Ashley Quigley (Fields Landing, Calif.) with 4:32 left to play, 64-62.
• After New England College captured a 68-66 edge with 2:25 to go, Eastern Nazarene seized a 69-68 advantage as Ashley Quigley (Fields Landing, Calif.) splashed a three-pointer with 2:07 on the clock.
• Delaney Walker (Nampa, Idaho) canned a pair of free throws in the final seconds of the game to seal the Lions' first conference victory of the year.
  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Ashley Quigley (Fields Landing, Calif.) netted a season-best 18 points to go with four rebounds.
• Anaira Ayala (Guaynabo, P.R.) finished with 14 points on the afternoon.
• Alondra Jimenez (Santa Barbara, Calif.) tallied 13 points, five boards, and three assists while Delaney Walker (Nampa, Idaho) also poured in 13 points.
• Te'yalla Simpson (Fairfield, Texas) chipped in with eight points off the bench and Michala O'Donoghue (San Bruno, Calif.) recorded eight assists and seven rebounds.
• Eastern Nazarene shot 44.8% from the floor and connected on 10-of-20 three-point attempts in the win.
• New England College concluded the game with a field-goal percentage of 39.2% to go with 25% shooting from beyond the arc.
• Ericka Pratt paced the Pilgrims with a game-high 29 points and 13 rebounds. Kathleen Rodriguez also posted a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 10 boards while Lara Matias added 12 points off the bench.

                                                                                    
LOOKING AHEAD:

Eastern Nazarene steps away from conference action to visit Wesleyan (Conn.) January 18.