HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College women's basketball team scored a season-high 90 points in a big senior day victory over non-conference opponent Lesley University on Saturday as every 'Grim that saw the court scored points.
Prior to tip-off, the team recognized seniors Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.), Ajayah Lively (Victorville, Calif.), and Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) as part of their senior day festivities, and the festivities carried over into the game as the Pilgrims' offense was firing on all cylinders.
McDonald connected on a three-pointer for the game's first points, the first of 15 three-point field goals for the 'Grims on the day. Shooting 67 percent from the field as a team in the first quarter, NEC jumped out to a 24-10 lead behind eight early points from junior Camryn Lewis (Taunton, Mass.) on 4-of-4 shooting in the first.
The Pilgrims outscored the Lynx 20-4 in the second quarter to bring a 44-14 lead into halftime. They closed out the half on a 16-2 run including four straight triples from junior Delvonna Newsome (Fresno, Calif.), Gordon, junior Jade Lovato (Albuquerque, N.M.), and junior Jayden Estrada (La Mirada, Calif.)
Lovato had six more points on a pair of three-balls in the third quarter as part of a career-high day with 12 points while connecting on four shots from beyond the arc. The NEC lead grew to 35 after three quarters as the team continued to dominate on both ends of the court.
The three-point barrage from deep continued in the fourth as the Pilgrims hit six more as Newsome went 2-of-3 in the quarter and sophomore Kaira Creary (Federal Way, Wash.) went a perfect 2-of-2. Outscoring Lesley 24-3 in the fourth, the 'Grims secured a dominant 56-point victory on senior day.
Lewis matched Lovato for the team-lead with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting along with eight rebounds and six assists. McDonald poured in 11 with nine rebounds while Lively added eight points and nine boards. Junior Bailey Burke (New Bedford, Mass.) chipped in seven points while Gordon had seven points while hitting her 101st career triple.
For the 'Grims, sophomore Amanda Davila (West Palm Beach, Fla.) had six points and three steals in meaningful minutes off the bench. Freshman Jennifer Orisma (Miami, Fla.) added four points and six rebounds.
NEC won the rebounding battle 60-29 over the Lynx. The Pilgrims shot 47 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep in the game, while holding the visitors to just 22 percent shooting overall.
The Pilgrims now look ahead to postseason play as they head to Emmanuel College on Wednesday for a GNAC Quarterfinal matchup against the top-ranked Saints at 6:00 PM.
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