MILTON, Mass. (December 1,2021) – The Western New England women's basketball team opened conference play tonight traveling to Curry where the Golden Bears dominated after the first quarter and took home a 72-34 win.

Records:

• Western New England: 3-4, 1-0 CCC
• Curry: 2-5, 0-1 CCC

How It Happened:

Curry opened action with a 5-0 run before Grace Fisher drew a foul for the Golden Bears and made both. A layup at the other end for the Colonels kept them in the lead before Emma Kahn made a jump shot from Colleen Furlong followed by a three from Alexia Leon to tie the game 7-7 with 5:48 on the clock. Kylie McCarthy of Curry made sure the Colonels didn't lose their lead making a three at the other end before a pair of free throws by Furlong and a three by Carey Lindsey earned Western New England their first lead of the game 12-10. Kahn extended the lead with a jumper forcing Curry into a timeout with 3:35 left in the first quarter. The Colonels scored at the 2:01 mark before Leon made a jumper to keep the Golden Bears ahead by four (16-12). The first quarter ended with Furlong making a free throw to earn Western new England a 17-12 lead after ten minutes.

Kahn opened the second quarter with a steal that did not result in points for the Golden Bears. The first points of the quarter were for Curry on one-of-two free throws to get back within four (17-13). Emma Elrod found Fisher in at the arc where Fisher drew the foul and made the basket to keep the Golden Bears ahead. The Colonels forced a turnover for a defensive stop but were unable to convert on the extra possession. The scoring then went silent for the next almost three and a half minutes before the Golden Bears made a deep two by Fisher to extend their lead 21-13 with 5:00 minutes left in the half. This gained Western New England some momentum where Abby Garaban scored in the next possession for the Golden Bears to lead 23-13 before the Golden Bears drew an offensive foul at the other end to regain possession. Garaban went to work in the post and made a layup followed by a layup from Fisher on an offensive rebound for Western New England to lead 27-13 and force Curry into another timeout. Curry swished a three out of the timeout before Kahn went to the other end and made a deep three to put Western New England ahead 30-16. With 51 seconds left in the half, Curry drew a foul and went to the line and made both. Fisher scored with 34 seconds on the clock and Garaban ended the scoring for the half with a jumper in the paint for Western New England to lead 34-18 at half.

The Golden Bears momentum carried into the third quarter with Paige Brinkman making her first jump shot of the half and Fisher followed that up with another layup for the Golden Bears to have their largest lead of the game 38-18. Curry scored their first basket of the second half on a free throw before the Golden Bears went on another scoring spree. Garaban started it with a layup followed by another Kahn three at the 6:49 mark. The Colonels made a jumper at 5:54 to stop the Golden Bears' run. Just 22 seconds later Fisher put in another bucket and after Curry worked to make a layup Fisher did it again to keep Western New England ahead 47-23. Garaban made a pair of free throws before Curry made another layup only to be answered by Fisher once again. Carey scored again with a layup from Fisher. A couple tough defensive possessions for Western New England turned into two free throws for Curry with just over a minute left in the third quarter. Lindsey Orbann scored for the Golden Bears with 47 seconds remaining and with one second on the clock Caitlyn Hunt made a layup from Orbann to earn the Golden Bears at 30-point lead (57-27) heading into the fourth quarter.

Garaban opened the fourth with a layup just 26 seconds in and completed the and-one play with a made free throw. Curry answered with a layup followed by a three to make the score 60-32. Elrod made a layup on the Golden Bears next possession to stop the Colonels momentum that kickstarted Western New England's. Hunt went to the line and made both before Curry made one. Elrod secured the rebound off the missed second free throw and Hunt converted with a layup at the other end. Hunt struck again at 3:37 with a layup from Elrod while Curry tallied another foul shot. Hunt scored another basket for the Golden Bears at the 1:33 mark and with 26 seconds left she scored again to end the game with a 72-34 win for Western New England to open conference play 1-0.

Inside the Numbers:

• The Golden Bears shot 46.8 percent from the field, 26.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 71.4 percent from the foul line while being aggressive on the boards and earning 59 rebounds along with 20 assists, seven steals, and six blocks.
• Fisher led the team with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds while adding three assists on the night.
• Garaban recorded 13 points with four rebounds, two assists and one steal while Hunt came off the bench and tallied 12 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.
• Kahn scored 10 points and earned five rebounds for the Golden Bears while Leon led the team with seven assists.

Up Next:

The Golden Bears remain on the road this Saturday, December 4, when they face conference rival Suffolk at 1 p.m.