Box Score DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.--The Western New England University women's basketball team stayed with nationally-ranked Amherst College for the opening 10 minutes on Saturday, but the No. 9 Lord Jeffs used a strong second half to cruise to a 69-45 non-conference win at the Land of Magic Classic hosted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's ICI Center. The Golden Bears fall to 5-5 on the season while Amherst remains unbeaten at 10-0.

Senior tri-captain Emily Savino led Western New England with 13 points while freshman Chelsea Vujs chipped in nine points and a team-best eight rebounds.

Megan Robertson recorded a double-double for Amherst, with 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Jasmine Hardy had a solid all-around game with 17 points to lead all scorers, five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Bridget Crowley also scored in double digits with 12 points to go along with eight rebounds.

Amherst used a strong defense to force 21 WNE turnovers that yielded 12 steals. The Lord Jeffs also held a commanding 48-30 rebounding advantage.

Amherst jumped out to a 7-2 lead to begin the game before a pair of Vujs free throws and a lay-in by senior Elena Radzikowski made it 7-6.

The Golden Bears stayed within two possessions until the midpoint of the first half when a Hardy trey ignited a 10-3 run over a four-minute span to make it 21-9 for Amherst. Western New England eventually cut it to 25-18 before the Lord Jeffs scored the last four points for a 29-18 halftime bulge.

Western New England concludes the 2012 calendar year and will return to action on Jan. 5 at Endicott in a Commonwealth Coast Conference contest.