SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior forward Corey Finch (Hanover, PA) led four players in double figures with 19 points as Springfield College defeated Western New England College 76-55 in the final day of action at the seventh annual Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic Saturday afternoon (Dec. 6) at the Alumni Healthful living Center.

Finch made 7-of-13 sots from the field, collected five rebounds and had two assists in earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore guard Rachelle Walker (Lee, MA) played a key role in the win by scoring 14 points in a reserve role.

Freshman forward Cherelle Allen (New Britain, CT) added a career high 13 points while freshman guard Kelly Murphy (Mechanicville, NY) netted 10 points as the Pride evened their record at 4-4.

Western New England College (3-4) scored the first five points of the game before Springfield gradually pulled away to take a 42-27 advantage at halftime. Walker sparked the Pride with 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 three-pointers.

Springfield led by 21 points at 49-28 just under three minutes into the second half before the Golden Bears began a gallant comeback getting within eight at 57-49 after two free throws by sophomore forward Kelly McCormick (Manchester, CT) with 7:48 remaining in the game. She finished with 13 points and five rebounds coming off the bench and was selected to the All-Tournament squad.

A short time later, Finch made two baskets and Walker drilled another three-pointer to give the visitors a 64-51 lead at the 4:43 mark.

A pair of free throws by sophomore guard Taryn Belowsky (New Haven, CT) (10 points) pulled WNEC within 66-55 with 3:32 remaining before the Pride scored the final 10 points of the contest.

Springfield finished shooting 42.6% from the field and held a 43-31 margin off the boards as senior center Lauren O'Connor (Valhalla, NY) grabbed a game high 13 rebounds while scoring eight points points. Allen and Murphy each had seven rebounds.

Junior forward Caitlin Powers (Scotia, NY) and freshman guard Mikaela Berthiaume (St. Albans, VT) each netted eight points for the Golden Bears.

Amherst stops Westfield State to stay unbeaten

In the second game Saturday, freshman center Lem Atanga McCormick (Chicago, IL) scored 17 points and freshman guard Kim Fiorentino (Holmdel, NJ) added 15 points as Amherst posted an 80-59 victory over Westfield State in the final game of the Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic Saturday afternoon (Dec. 6) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Fiorentino was selected the Tournament MVP and Atanga McCormick made the All-Tournament Team after the Lord Jeffs stayed unbeaten at 8-0.

Ranked 13th nationally in the d3hoops.com poll, Amherst finished 2-0 in the Classic for the third consecutive year.

Amherst started strong taking a 29-15 lead in the first half before the Owls came back to pull within seven (38-31) at halftime.

Westfield State cut the lead to four at 41-37 following a basket by junior guard Sarah Boudreau (Tewksbury, MA) three minutes into the second period. The Lord Jeffs responded with a 13-2 run for a 54-39 margin following a basket by sophomore center Sarah Leyman (Cincinnati, OH) with 11:47 left in the game.

Westfield State couldn't get closer than 12 points in the final 11:31.

Leyman finished with 13 points along with five rebounds and five assists while senior guard Stacy Brossy (Lukachukai, AZ) was the fourth Amherst player in double figures with 10 points. Senior forward Yasmine Harik (New York, NY) pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

Amherst shot 52.2% from the field and held a 33-24 advantage off the boards.

Boudreau led the Owls with 15 points while senior guard Katie Sylvain (Hadley, MA) collected 14 points as both players earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Senior forward Andrea Wasuk (Lenox, MA) also scored 14 points.

Westfield State is now 5-2.

Pioneer Valley Women's Hoop Classic

Most Valuable Player – Kim Fiorentino (Amherst)

All-Tournament Team - Kim Fiorentino (Amherst), Lem Atanga McCormick (Amherst), Sarah Boudreau (Westfield State), Katie Sylvain (Westfield State), Corey Finch (Springfield), Kelly McCormick (Western New England College)

Friday, Dec. 5 - Amherst 69, Western New England College 38; Westfield State 69, Springfield 60

Saturday, Dec. 6 - Springfield 76, Western New England College 55; Amherst 80, Westfield State 59