HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's basketball team came up short at home on Thursday evening, dropping a non-conference matchup to Curry College, 57-53.  

The Colonels struck first in the quarter with Kasey Reeve sinking a pair of free throws. Junior Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) answered with a layup to keep the score tight early on. Curry then put together a 10-0 run before senior Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) stopped the run with a pair of made free throws. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, and the Colonels carried a 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

The teams continued to battle with senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) drilling a three-pointer and sophomore Kaira Creary (Federal Way, Wash.) adding a jumper to trim Curry's lead. The Colonels outscored the Pilgrims 14-7 in the second quarter and took a 36-27 lead into halftime. 

Lauren Morse opened the third quarter scoring for the Colonels with a three-pointer, but McDonald quickly answered by finding junior Jayden Estrada (La Mirada, Calif.) who buried a three of her own to cut Curry's lead to single digits. The visitors responded to extend their lead again, as McDonald countered with another three-pointer as the 'Grims trailed 44-35 with 4:42 remaining in the quarter. The Colonels continued to knock down shots and carried a 48-38 lead into the final quarter. 

Lewis opened the scoring in the final quarter with a free throw, but Libby Harris answered two of her own to push the Colonels' lead back into double digits. The Pilgrims responded with a 10-0 run, fueled by a pair of free throws and layup from Estrada. Junior Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) drilled a three-pointer to cut the deficit to four, and junior Xitlali Montesino (Watsonville, Calif.) followed with a free throw and a layup to make it a one-point game, with the 'Grims trailing Curry 55-54 with 25 seconds remaining. A late foul by the 'Grims sent Reeve to line who knocked down both free throws to give Curry the 57-54 victory. 

Estrada led NEC with 11 points while adding three steals and two assists. McDonald tallied eight points, going 2-for-3 from beyond the arc along with five rebounds. Creary added six points, four assists, and one rebound for the Pilgrims. Burke anchored the defense with a team-high eight defensive rebounds and chipped in seven points. 

The Pilgrims return to action on Sunday to face the University of New Hampshire Wildcats in an exhibition matchup with a 1:00 PM tipoff. 

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