HENNIKER, N.H. - After a close first quarter, the New England College women's basketball team pulled away from Mitchell College on Saturday, outscoring the Mariners 67-40 over the final three quarters to improve to 3-2 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). 

Juniors Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) and Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) led the Pilgrims offensively, combining for 35 points. Lewis secured another double-double with a team-high 18 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, and 17 rebounds – matching a season and career-high. Burke had a season-high 17 points while connecting on 3-of-7 from distance and adding six boards. 

Neither team found much success on the offensive end in the first quarter as NEC held a narrow 14-13 lead after ten minutes of play. The Pilgrims began to pull away late in the second quarter as they ended the first half with a 9-2 run. Burke went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field in the second quarter with 12 points to fuel the 'Grims on offense.  

NEC went on another 9-2 run to kick off the second half as Lewis had a quick five points to add to their lead. Senior Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) had all nine of her points on the day in the third quarter as the Pilgrims expanded their advantage to 20 points after three quarters.  

The Pilgrims took advantage of holes in the Mariner defense in the fourth quarter as Lewis and junior Nyah Belton (Colton, Calif.) exploited them in the post. Junior Delvonna Newsome (Fresno, Calif.) had a quick five points late in the fourth quarter, and they came away with the 28-point victory. 

Junior Jayden Estrada (La Mirada, Calif.) was the other Pilgrim to score in double-digits as she had 10 points with five rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Kaira Creary (Federal Way, Wash.) had six points off a pair of three-point shots.  

The 'Grims feasted down low with 30 points in the paint and outrebounded the Mariners, 53-30. Senior Ajayah Lively (Victorville, Calif.) had eight rebounds in the win. 

Up next, the Pilgrims head to Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday, January 28th, for a 7:30 PM GNAC matchup against Emmanuel College. 

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