AMHERST, Mass. - Senior guard Tara McCarthy (Bristol, RI) led four players in double figures with a game high 20 points as Springfield College sailed past Western New England College 95-60 Firday night (Nov. 30) in a first round game of the Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic at LeFrak Gym.

The Pride (3-2) scored eight unanswered points to open the contest and rolled to a 47-24 lead at halftime.

SC continued its hot-shooting by making 20-of-29 shots from the field (69.0%) in the second half to finish with a remarkable 63.5% mark for the game.

Senior guard Jen Dabrowski (Plainville, CT) had another fine outing for the Golden Bears compiling 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor and 4-for-4 from the foul line. She also had three rebounds and a pair of assists.

Senior guard Tiffany DeRosa (Hamden, CT) was the only other WNEC player in double figures with 10 points.

The Golden Bears (2-3) made 14-of-19 free-throw attempts (73.7%), but finished making only 38.2% of their field goal attempts after a difficult first half.

This was the 250th career victory for veteran Springfield coach Naomi Graves.

In the nightcap, host Amherst crusied to an easy 77-40 victory over Westfield State.

Western New England College will meet Westfield State at 3:00 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 1) in second round action of the tournament.