WATERVILLE, Maine – The New England College women's basketball team outlasted Thomas College in a high-scoring affair on Sunday afternoon for a nonconference victory at the Margaret M. Crook Center in Waterville, Maine to round out the Colby Tip Off Tournament.  
 

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 83, Thomas College 80 
Records: Pilgrims 3-3, 0-0 GNAC | Terriers 2-3, 0-0 NAC  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, ending in a 21-21 tie following a three-pointer by junior guard Amya Moss (Norfolk, Va.) with just one second remaining. Offense was easy to come by with both squads shooting over 50 percent from the field in the first.  
• In the second quarter of play, the Pilgrims began to pull away as they continued to shoot the ball well. The hot shooting was led by senior guard Alissia Corona (Wylie, Tex.) who would score 10 points in the quarter while connecting on 2 of 3 from deep. The Pilgrims would lead by as much as 14 in the quarter, but a late run by the Terriers would trim it down to six points going into halftime.  
• Coming out of the break, the Pilgrims would have another strong shooting quarter, going 53.3 percent from the field in the third, as compared to 25 percent clip for the Terriers. But Thomas would make the most of their free throw attempts to stay in the game, going into the fourth quarter down nine.  
• After a Moss layup to kick off the fourth quarter would grow the NEC lead to 11, the Terriers would go on a mini 6-0 run to close the gap, 62-57. Almost immediately, a Corona three-pointer and a layup by senior guard Juliana Hernandez (McFarland, Calif.) would put the 'Grims up 10.  
• The Terriers would again get back into the game from the charity stripe, scoring five straight points from the free throw line. But as they had all game, the Pilgrims would respond. A 7-3 run capped off by a three-point play by senior center Kathleen Rodriguez (McFarland, Calif.) would return the 'Grims lead to nine with four minutes to go.  
• With just 1:00 to go, Thomas first-year guard Deja Hamilton (Martinsburg, W.Va.) would hit a huge three-pointer to bring the Terriers within three, 81-78. Hamilton would hit two free throws with 30 seconds remaining to make it 81-80, NEC. After Hamilton missed a potential go-ahead three, junior guard Isyss Scott (Bakersfield, Calif.) would grab the rebound and go 1-2 from the free-throw line to put the 'Grims up two.  
• Under 10 seconds left, the Terriers would get two looks to tie the game up, but neither connected and Hernandez would bring down the pivotal rebound for the Pilgrims. The senior would quickly get fouled and hit one-of-two free throws to give NEC a three-point lead with just four seconds left in the game. Hamilton would miss the potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, giving the 'Grims the narrow 83-80 victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Rodriguez dominated down low for the Pilgrims, securing her third double-double of the season with 19 points and 15 rebounds.  
• Corona added 18 points on 4-of-7 shooting from distance, four assists, and two blocks. She was named to the All-Tournament team.  
• Moss, the third Pilgrim to reach double-figures, scored 14 points to go along with five boards and three assists. 
• Hamilton led the way for the Terriers with 19 points (5-13 3PM) while graduate guard Emily Parent (Oakland, Maine) scored 18 points.  
• NEC shot 52.6 percent from the field while holding Thomas to shooting just 30.3 percent for the game. Additionally, the Pilgrims shot 46.7 percent from deep, as compared to just 26.7 percent for the Terriers. 
• While Thomas struggled offensively, where they excelled was at the free-throw line. The team made 32 of 41 attempts, good for a 78 percent clip.  
• But Rodriguez and co. were too much for the Terriers, as the Pilgrims outscored their opponents 38-18 in the paint. 

UP NEXT 

• Following the Thanksgiving break, NEC returns to the court on Tuesday, November 28th, for a home matchup against Worcester State University at 7:00 PM.  
• Thomas looks ahead to their next game versus Colby College on Tuesday, November 21st, at 5:30 PM.  

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.