Orbann's impressive double-double helps power Western New England past RPI, 69-54

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (December 1, 2018) – The Western New England University women's basketball team secured a 69-54 non-conference win over Rensselar Polytechnic Institute on Thursday evening in the Alumni Health and Living Center Gym.

Top Performers
The Golden Bears were energized by junior forward Meghan Orbann (East Hampton, Conn.) who put together a 16-point and 15-rebound performance, while shooting 6-13 from the field. Fellow junior guard Emily Farrell (New Fairfield, Conn.) contributed 13 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore center Emily Scurka (Bilierica, Mass.) added 13 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Senior guard Elizabeth Eckhardt (Albany, NY) paced the Engineers with a game-high 20 points off 8-12 shooting and 4-8 from beyond the arc. Junior guard Ines Ortea (Madrid, Spain) added 15 points and nine rebounds.

Game Review
In the first quarter, the Golden Bears traded blows with the Engineers. Western New England was led by Farrell and Orbann through the first ten minutes. A three-pointer from Farrell would extend the lead to 17-11 with 2:05 remaining. The Engineers would shoot a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line to close the gap. Orbann would hit two free throws to make the lead 19-15 going into the second quarter.

Sophomore guard Lauren Chadwick (Gardiner, Maine) would open up the second with a quick five points and Scurka would make a layup to add to the 7-2 run for the Golden Bears. Ortea and Eckhardt would put together a 7-0 run of their own to get the Engineers within two. Scurka would lay another in off a putback to end the Engineer run. With 2:15 remaining in the half, junior guard Syndey Fisher (Strafford, N.H.) would knock down a three to make the 31-24 lead. The score would remain there going into the half.

Western New England would outscore the Engineers 24-6 in the third quarter. The Golden Bear defense held the Engineers to just 15.4% shooting from the field. Orbann was a catalyst on defense collecting seven rebounds in the period. Offensively, Scurka would pace the Golden Bears with nine points and four rebounds in the quarter. The lead would grow to 55-32 going into the fourth.

RPI would come try to make a dent in the Golden Bear lead as they outscored Western New England 22-14. Orbann and Chadwick would open the quarter with a couple jumpers to make the lead 60-32. At 6:52, Farrell would knock down a pair of free throws to grow the lead to 29, their biggest of the night. The Engineers would receive more offense from Ortea, but the Golden Bear lead would prove to be too much for the Engineers, winning the contest 69-54.

Notes
• Western New England forced 17 Engineer turnovers, scoring 18 points off turnovers
• Meghan Orbann grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds

Up Next
Western New England (7-2, 3-0 CCC) look to continue this four-game win streak on the road against MCLA (3-3) on Saturday at 1pm. RPI (6-3) will continue Liberty League play against Skidmore College (2-6).