PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The New England College women's basketball team experienced some difficulties against Johnson & Wales University early on but found a way to excel towards the end. NEC in the third and fourth quarters would outscore the Wildcats, but JWU proved to be too much for the 'Grims based on how they performed in the first half on Saturday from the Wildcat Center in Providence, Rhode Island in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 73, Johnson & Wales University 86
Records: Pilgrims 10-13, 4-8 GNAC | Wildcats 20-2, 11-1 GNAC
TURNING POINTS
- Points were hard to come by in the first quarter for NEC as the smothering defense executed by the Wildcats proved to be overwhelming for the 'Grims. The quarter would end with the 'Grims only able to muster seven points while JWU was able to fire on all cylinders scoring 21 points.
- JWU in the second quarter remained to be one step ahead of them the whole way as they were still out scoring NEC 30-17. Sophomore forward Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) would score the final points of the quarter for the 'Grims converting on a and-1 opportunity, but the team would spend the remaining 55 seconds left on the clock scoreless. During that time frame NEC would manage to stop the bleeding allowing two points to be scored but JWU had quite the command of the in first and second quarter that ended with their lead stretched out to 27 points by halftime, 51-24.
- The third quarter was a much improved effort by the 'Grims as they outscored the Wildcats 26-20. NEC freshman guard Kaira Creary (Federal Way, Wash.) was a big part of the team's success in the quarter cashing in on three shots from behind arc trying to instill some life into the NEC bench.
- Even though by the time buzzer sounded off in the final quarter that did not stop NEC from making a run at trying to get back in the game. With 4:15 left everything seemed to begin to click for NEC going on a 17-8 run that was executed too late to give the 'Grims a chance at coming back in the game which would conclude the conference clash in favor of the Wildcats, 86-73.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC Lewis did all she could for NEC still managing to put up excellent numbers on her behalf as the freshman finished with a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. This 20-point outing for Lewis is now established as her season-high thus far on the season and marks the second double-double recorded as well.
- NEC Creary played a solid game for the 'Grims making quite the difference from the three-point line in this one. That would be done by connecting on five of her nine shots taken bestowing the Washington native a season-high in three pointers made from beyond the arc resulting in 15 points to tie her career high in points scored.
- NEC sophomore guard Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) followed up with 14 points and grabbed six boards.
- JWU freshman forward Grace Jaffray (Blue Hill, Maine) was the clear star of the game recording the game-high of an impressive 32 points. Three other Wildcats on the day would compile double digit scoring numbers that proved to make a difference in the conference win from JWU in freshman guard Isabella Suero (Newburgh, N.Y.), sophomore guard Alexa Lora (Franklin Lakes, N.J.), and freshman forward Brianne Foley (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
- NEC dominated in how they were able to make the most out of their bench as they out scored JWU by as much as 27 points, 32-5.
- Points in the painted showed to be area where the 'Grims would make a vast majority of their shots over JWU, 34-26.
- NEC would finish the game with the better field goal percentage as they recorded 45.3% while JWU had 40.9%.
UP NEXT
- Up next for NEC, the team will be back in Bridges Gym Tuesday, February 18th at 5:00 PM to take on Emmanuel College.
- JWU's next game will be on the road on Tuesday, February 18th at 5:30 PM against Dean College.
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