SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore forward Terri Duffy (Marshfield, MA) scored a game high 30 points to lead four players in double figures as fourth-seeded Colby-Sawyer College posted a 70-61 victory over second-seeded Western New England College in the championship game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Women's Basketball Tournament Saturday (March 1) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Colby-Sawyer (19-7) receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship after winning its third conference title in four years and sixth since the conference began in the 1995-96 season. This was the 10th appearance in the conference finals for the Chargers who finished second last year after dropping a one-point decision (53-52) to Salve Regina.

Duffy was the difference in the game making 11-of-16 shots from the field while pulling down eight rebounds. She collected 20 points (including the team's first 11 points) in the opening half as the Chargers took a 33-26 advantage at intermission. 

Colby-Sawyer enjoyed its biggest lead at 53-42 following a basket by senior guard Noelle Surette (Buxton, ME) with 13:04 left in the game.

WNEC went on an 11-1 run to get within a point at 54-53 following a lay-up by senior guard Tiffany DeRosa (Hamden, CT) at the 6:33 mark.

The Chargers scored the next seven points and held the Golden Bears scoreless for 4:39 until senior guard Jen Dabrowski (Plainville, CT) connected on a three-point play that cut margin to 61-56 with 1:54 left in the contest.

WNEC couldn't get any closer after Colby-Sawyer scored its final seven points from the foul line in the final 1:03.

Dabrowski finished with a team high 26 points (20 in the second half) along with five rebounds and five assists.

Sophomore forward Caitlin Powers (Scotia, NY) had 12 points and a team high seven boards while DeRosa added 10 points before both fouled out.

Surette also had a big game for the Chargers with 14 points and nine rebounds while junior center Emma Pasquale (Eliot, ME) contributed a double-double with 11 points and game high 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Amy Hebert (Keene, NH) netted 10 points and four assists coming off the bench.

Colby-Sawyer opened the tournament with an 86-57 home victory over fifth-seeded Salve Regina and defeated top-seeded and host Endicott 56-45 in the semifinals.

Western New England College (18-10) posted wins over seventh-seeded University of New England (77-52) and third-seeded Nichols (62-51) to advance to the conference final in its first season in the conference.

The Golden Bears hope to receive an invitational to the ECAC Division III Tournament when pairings are announced on Monday (Mar. 3).