SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England College came up with a strong defensive effort in posting a 55-41 victory over Westfield State College in an opening round game of the fifth annual Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic Friday night (Dec. 1) at Springfield College's Blake Arena.

Junior guard Jen Dabrowski (Plainville, CT) led three players in double figures with 16 points while junior guard Tiffany DeRosa (Hamden, CT) added 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Senior forward Sharon Simoncelli (Litchfield, CT) just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Western New England College (3-2) scored the first eight points of the game and senior forward Vicky Taylor (Feeding Hills, MA) (8 points, 6 rebounds) set the defense tone of the evening by drawing two charges in the opening five minutes.

Westfield State, which never led in the contest, came back to knot the game at 24-24 at halftime.

The Golden Bears opened the second half with a 12-0 run and held the Owls (1-2) scoreless for the first 8:16 of the stanza.

Westfield wound up shooting only 25.9% from the floor after making only 15-of-58 shots. The Owls had three players score nine points.

Western New England College converted 22-of-56 shots (39.3%) and also held a 46-37 edge in rebounding.

Western New England College will meet Amherst (a 57-55 winner over host Springfield) at 1:00 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 2) in the second day of action at the Classic.