HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's basketball team earned a 56-50 win over the Keene State College Owls on Tuesday at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in non-conference action.
 

THE BASICS
Score:                    Keene State College 50, New England College 56
Records:               Owls 0-1, 0-0 LEC | Pilgrims 2-1, 0-0 GNAC


TURNING POINTS

• The first quarter of play for the 'Grims was successful for the 'Grims as they jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after a three pointer that was cashed in by junior guard Ajayah Lively (Victorville, Calif.) at 7:52. KSC managed to respond with a three pointer of their score by junior guard Valarie Luizzi (Colchester, Conn.) to bring them within two points, 5-3. On the defensive side of the court only allowed five points for the remainder of the quarter while tacking on an extra eight points having a five-point advantage over the Owls going into the second quarter.
• NEC got off to an identical start in the second quarter as they executed in the previous quarter by edging out to a 5-0 lead in the first 1:37 of competition. KSC sophomore guard Brynn Rautiola (Rindge, N.H.) got the owls going she made her shot from behind the arc. From there on the Owls were benefiting from fouls that were committed by the 'Grims bestowing the visitors eight points at the line as the last of free throws were scored in the final seconds of play. That didn't phase senior guard Amya Moss (Norfolk, Va.) who was off to the races in the 'Grims final possession to get down the court for a layup scoring the last points of the quarter finishing the half with 28-21 lead in their favor.
• NEC junior guard Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) got the 'Grims going with an early three pointer that led to the team going on an 8-0 run stretching the lead out to 36-23 in favor of the 'Grims at 6:38. The Owls had a difficult time offensively trying to get things to flow as they only scored five points for the remainder of the quarter. NEC put together their best quarter defensively firing on all cylinders, only letting the Owls score seven points ending with a score of 43-28.
• KSC in the final quarter didn't waver in the face of adversity hitting two back-to-back threes that shrunk the 'Grims lead down to 10, 46-36. NEC senior forward Gabriella Matlock (Tulare, Calif.) got into the paint to score a layup at 6:51 that expanded the team's lead out to 12 but the Owls would stay composed scoring the next eight that shortened the lead of NEC to five points, 49-45. NEC senior guard Amya Moss (Norfolk, Va.) was a crucial piece for the team down the stretch as she would convert on a layup at 3:20 with the score now being 51-45. Afterwards Moss would get into the free throw battle with the Owls as both teams found themselves at the line during this phase of the game. The senior would earn the last five points of the game on free throws to help NEC clinch a home opener win over the Owls, 56-50.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Moss was the leading scorer of the game gathering 22 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
• NEC sophomore guard Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) made her preseason known in her outing finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and an assist.
• KSC Luizzi did all she could for the Owls ending her night earning 17 points, seven steals, four rebounds, and an assist.
• KSC freshman Ruby Dasaro (Fairfield, Vt.) followed up with a stat line of 11 points, 3 steals, and a rebound.
• Points off turnovers were in favor of the 'Grims 17-8.
• NEC's bench was more efficient than KSC earning 16 compared to the Owl's eight on the night.
• Points in the paint ended in favor of NEC by a convincing margin of 26-10.

UP NEXT

• NEC will be in Lyndonville, Vermont to compete in the VSU Lyndon Tournament as they playing Saturday, November 16^th at 4:00 PM against Vermont State University Johnson from George W. Stannard Gymnasium.
• KSC will be out in Williamstown, Massachusetts Saturday, November 16^th at 6:00 PM from Chandler Gymnasium against Williams College.

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