Women's Basketball Falls to Roger Williams, 53-43

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 1, 2023) – The Western New England women's basketball team battled the Roger Williams University Hawks for their second match-up of the season. The Golden Bears lost to the Hawks 53-43.

Records:

• Western New England: 10-10, 8-5 CCC
• Roger Williams: 17-3, 13-0 CCC

How It Happened: Roger Williams University opened the first quarter with a three-pointer, a minute later Emma Kahn got two points after her drive to the basket. The Hawks built up a 9-2 lead after a small run before the Golden Bears added some more points to the board. Abby Garaban's layup was the second basket for WNE 3:10 left in the quarter. Emma Elrod knocked in a jumper and Emma Novajosky put up a huge three for the Golden Bears to trail 13-11 after one quarter of play.

Novajosky evened up the score, and took a lead, on the foul line in the first couple of minutes of the second. The Hawks tied it up again, Novajosky's layup brought WNE ahead once again. The Golden Bears held the lead for the remainder of the half. It started with a run with two trips to the hoop for Caitlyn Hunt, a lot of defensive stops for WNE, and a three from Kahn. The Golden Bears were on top 23-16. Roger Williams hit one more basket in the second, Lindsey Carey shot in the last hoop of the second, score 25-18 Golden Bears at halftime.

The Hawks worked their way into closing the score gap with the first four points of the third for a two-point game. Elrod hit a top of the key jump shot for a little more separation, but three free-throws and a layup had the score all tied up again 4:27 in the quarter. Elrod's layup put the Golden Bears back on top for the final time of the game. The Hawks had taken the lead, and WNE had to fight to stay in it. Hunt made a layup for a 31-31 game, and another trip to the foul line had the Hawks back up two ending the third 33-31.

A three for the Hawks to begin the final quarter, another layup followed before Shaina Cooney hit a shot before the shot clock buzzer. Roger Williams answered with a layup and a five-point lead and forced it to 10 points midway through the fourth 48-38. Garaban, driving straight to the basket, earned four more for WNE, but they could not get the needed stops to make the comeback late in the game and lost to the Hawks 53-43.

On the Court:

• The Golden Bears shot 26.3 percent from the paint, 20.0 percent from three-point line, 71.4 percent from the foul line, while gathering 39 rebounds, eight assists, six steals, and one block.
• The Hawks had 42.2 percent from the floor, 22.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 65.0 percent from the free throw line while grabbing 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 10 steals, and five blocks.
• The Golden Bears were led by Abby Garaban and Emma Novajosky who had 8 points. Garaban added five rebounds and two assists.
• Shaina Cooney pulled down seven rebounds

Up Next: The Golden Bears are on the road for their next couple of games. Their next one is this Saturday, February 4, for a 12 p.m. tipoff against Curry College.