HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's basketball team won their eighth straight game with a 75-54 victory over Fitchburg State on Saturday. Young basketball players, in attendance for Hillsboro Youth Day, watched as the Pilgrims matched the program's longest winning streak since the 2018-19 season. 

The Falcons scored the game's first points 17 seconds after the 1:00 tip to go up 2-0, but the Pilgrims would quickly take control of the game and not trail again over the final 39:53 of the game. NEC shot a blistering 84.6 percent from the floor in the first quarter, led by senior Ajayah Lively (Victorville, Calif.) and junior Xitlali Montesino (Watsonville, Calif.) who each had eight points while taking a 27-10 lead into the second quarter.  

Fitchburg State would pull within as few as 11 points in the second quarter, but the Pilgrims kept them at arm's length as they never let the lead slip into single digits. Senior Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) hit two big three-point buckets for 10 first-half points while Lively led all scorers with 12 heading into the break as the 'Grims led 46-28.  

The hot shooting cooled off a bit in the second half, but the Pilgrims continued to limit the Falcons on offense. Fitchburg shot just 30.8 percent in the second half as they failed to chip into the NEC lead. NEC held onto a 20-point advantage after three as Lively scored six more in the third to cap off a career-high afternoon with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. 

The 'Grims led by as many as 26 points in the fourth, ultimately coming away with a 21-point win in the team's final tune-up before conference play. Junior Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) secured another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds – her seventh of the season. Montesino and Gordon each ended the day with 11 points.  

The strong offensive day for the Pilgrims started down low as they outscored the Falcons in the paint, 36-12. They shot an even 50 percent from the field while holding Fitchburg to 33 percent, and outrebounded the Falcons, 42-27. 

The 'Grims will take their eight-game winning streak into their conference opener against Lasell University on Saturday, January 10th.  

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