Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Sophomore Chelsea Vujs led all players with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and junior Samantha McCann came off the bench to pump in a career-high 16 points, to power Western New England past visiting Curry, 72-55, in the Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball opener for both squads on Wednesday at the Alumni Healthful Living Center field house. The winning Golden Bears improve to 4-3 on the season while the Colonels fall to 2-3.

Vujs, who already has recorded four double-doubles this season, shot 5 of 7 from the field for 13 points to help WNE take a 34-28 lead at halftime. For her part, McCann took over in the second half scoring 12 points while finishing off all six of her field goal attempts for the game to go along with 4-of-6 at the free throw line.

"We have a lot of chemistry this year, so it felt great working together to get the win," McCann said following the game.

Western New England senior co-captain Katie Eckert chipped in 11 points, shooting 3-for-5 from three-point range, and she pulled down eight rebounds.
 
The Golden Bears started the game off on an 11-2 run and never looked back in leading wire-to-wire.

"When we run our offense right we get good, open looks," Golden Bears coach Nicole Chaszar pointed out.

Western New England pushed the ball up the floor and continuously got the ball inside, which resulted in 30 points inside the paint to match the Colonels. The Golden Bears also had 21 assists on 25 made baskets, including senior point guard Shaylyn Sicard with seven helpers and graduate student Nicole Daly had six.
 
The Golden Bears' bench--led by McCann (4 rebounds)--played a huge role in the victory, contributing 29 points. Freshman Paige Young scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds.
 
Kylie Beltz of Curry led the team with 19 points and six rebounds, followed by Jeanette Fallon (5 rebounds, 2 blocks) with 13 points and Samantha Corcoran had 10 (6 rebounds, 2 blocks).
 
The Golden Bears are away for their next game at the University of New England on Saturday in a CCC contest versus the Nor'easters.