Five Golden Bears Score in Double Figures, Lead WNE Past Nichols

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 28, 2023) – The Western New England women's basketball team matched up with the Nichols College Bison who they defeated for the second time this season, 97-81 final score.

Records:

• Western New England: 10-9, 8-4 CCC
• Nichols College: 6-13, 4-8 CCC

How It Happened: Nichols Bison came out and hit a jump shot, Shaina Cooney drove to the basket a couple of times for four points, and Nichols regathered their lead on two three-point jump shots. The Golden Bears brought it back within one, and three more consecutive Nichols' threes, distanced the lead, 19-9, under five to play in the first quarter. Cooney and Emma Elrod contributed for four and Nichols knocked in their sixth three of the first. WNE got a few stops at the end of the quarter and layups from Abby Garaban, two from Lilly Hedge, and Elrod stole the lead back for the Golden Bears to end the quarter 27-26.

Two quick threes for the Bison put them back on top. A Cooney bucket and a shot plus a foul shot for Garaban, WNE in the lead once again. Emma Kahn's three and another layup by Garaban had the Golden Bears ahead 10, 43-33. Nichols' Fernandes drilled down another three on WNE, and Kahn and Perry Blasetti returned two from outside the arc, Kahn added a layup, and Garaban put three more on the scoreboard. By the end of the half, the Golden Bears were in the lead by 20+ with a score of 60-37.

The Bison were put on the foul line to start the second half, scored some threes, and some layups to close the gap. Cooney, dominating the post, kept the Golden Bears on the scoreboard. Two more threes by Nichols cut the score deficit 69-54 before Hedge drove to the basket. Nichols fought to bring it under 20 from the three-point line, still trailing 76-61 at the end of the third.

Nichols first basket of the final quarter was a layup, Garaban responded with a jumper. The teams were going blow for blow, putting up shots, and not getting a lot of stops. The Bison came within 12 points with no signs of slowing down, score 87-75, 3:56. Hedge with an impressive game off the bench knocked in two more baskets before another Bison three. The Golden Bears had an easy close out with some more points on the foul line to win the game 97-81 against the Bison.

On the Court:

• The Golden Bears shot 48.8 percent from the paint, 27.3 percent from three-point line, 72.7 percent from the foul line, while gathering 59 rebounds, 22 assists, nine steals, and three blocks.
• The Bison had 37.5 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.0 percent from the free throw line while grabbing 31 rebounds, 14 assists, 10 steals, and one block.
• The Golden Bears were led by Abby Garaban who had 19 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. She went 5-13 from inside the paint and 9-10 from the foul line.
• Lilly Hedge added 18 points, Shaina Cooney pulled down nine boards plus 17 points.

Up Next: The Golden Bears are back on their home court in the AHLC for their next game against the Roger Williams Hawks Wednesday, February 1, for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.