HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College Women's Basketball team came up short against non-conference opponent Lancers of Worcester State University on Tuesday evening.  

Worcester State won the ball to begin the game and scored a quick three points. Senior Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) answered three of her own to tie the game. Going up five mid-way through the first quarter, sophomore Amanda Davila (West Palm Beach, Fla.) secured the first lead for the 'Grims with a three making it 12-10, but the Lancers would continue to battle and led at the end of the first 22-15. The team was able to go for 66.7% from the arc.  

The Lancers started on a 9-2 run in the second quarter and were able to stay dominant on the court with their largest lead of 17. Going into the half time Worcester lead 40-23  

NEC started scoring in the second half with a jumper from Davila, but Worcester kept with the possession and built a 20-point lead against the 'Grims. With 3:48 left in the third quarter, junior Xitlali Montesino (Watsonville, Calif.) was able to get the scoring started, which led to a 7-0 run cutting the lead to 55-41. The 'Grims outscored the Lancers in the third 18-15.  

The team started the final quarter how they ended the third by scoring a free throw from junior Nyah Belton (Colton, Calif.); Belton then made two back-to-back layups to make the score now 55-46. With a little over five minutes, Belton scored her 10th point in the game. Junior Jayden Estrada (La Mirada, Calif.) made her presence known with a three to continue hacking down the lead. Junior Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) was able to lead the 'Grims with three. Less than a minute Lewis went 1-2 on the line, which led to junior Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) to capture an offensive rebound. She was able to pass the ball to Estrada who was on the other side of the arc for a three, but Worcester's Lena Waldron drew a foul sending Estrada to the line. She went 3-3 bringing the 'Grims within one shot. 33 seconds left, and a missed Worcester jump gave Lewis the opportunity for a defensive rebound, her 11th of the game. After a timeout, and Pilgrim possession inbounding on their side of the court, Lewis found Burke who made the layup awarding NEC with the lead with 15 seconds left. However, a controversial call late in the game ultimately affected NEC's chances and allowed Worcester State to score a layup and win the game 67-66.  

Estrada and Belton led with 12 points each. Lewis finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The team is on the road Thursday in Plymouth against Plymouth State at 5 P.M. 

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