DUDLEY, Mass. â€" A second half scoring drought was the difference as the Western New England College women’s basketball team returned to action following the semester break with a 72-56 non-league loss at Nichols on Saturday (Jan. 6).

The Golden Bears had four players in double figures led by junior guard Tiffany DeRosa (Hamden, CT) with 13 points. She also had five assists.

Senior guard Christine Aldrich (Montpelier, VT) contributed 12 points while senior forward Sharon Simoncelli (Litchfield, CT) had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Jen Dabrowski (Plainville, CT) added 10 points.

WNEC trailed 40-36 at halftime before tying the contest at 43-43 on a lay-up by Aldrich at the 17:43 mark.

The Golden Bears then hit a severe scoring drought netting only four points over the next 13:43 as the Bison pulled away.

Western New England College (3-7) shot well from the field (51.9%) in the opening half, but made only nine baskets after intermission. The Golden Bears also committed 21 turnovers in suffering their fifth straight loss.

Senior guard Stacey Hejwosz led four Nichols’ players in double figures with a game-high 22 points, including the 1,000th of her career. Sophomore guard Mary Lynn Skarzenski had a big outing with 18 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds as the Bison even their record at 4-4.