HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's basketball team couldn't have asked for a better start to their 2025-26 season, defeating Lesley by 42 points on Saturday at Bridges Gym in non-conference action. 

The Pilgrims outscored the Lynx, 26-9, in the first quarter as junior Nyah Belton (Colton, Calif.) had a hot start with eight points while fellow junior Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) joined in with six points as the two dominated down low. NEC would score 42 points in the paint on the night while Lesley scored just six. 

Lesley was limited to just four points in the second quarter, meanwhile junior Xitlali Montesino (Watsonville, Calif.) began to show out in her Pilgrim debut with eight points in the quarter. NEC took a 38-13 lead into the halftime break. 

The hot-shooting carried over into the second half for the Pilgrims as they shot 3-of-5 from distance in the third quarter, including makes from Montesino and junior Jayden Estrada (La Mirada, Calif.) who added seven points in the frame. Sophomore Ter'Nazia Elvine (Cochran, Ga.) went 2-of-2 from three-point range with a quick six points in just four minutes of action. 

NEC expanded its lead to 34 going into the fourth quarter and eventually came away with a convincing 75-33 victory. The team held the Lynx to a lowly 12.1% shooting from the field while shooting 48.4% from the floor themselves. They shot 8-of-22 from beyond the arc while the visitors hit just 3-of-30 from deep. 

Belton and Montesino led the team with 14 points a-piece while Montesino secured a double-double with 12 rebounds while also having seven assists. Lewis and Estrada both ended with 11 points, with Lewis adding eight boards and Estrada chiming in five assists. 

The Pilgrims will now hit the road to face Keene State on Tuesday as their non-conference slate continues at 2:00 PM from the Spaulding Gymnasium just down Route 9. 

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