SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 12, 2022) – The Western New England women's basketball defeat the Nichols College Bisons for their second time this season on their Senior Day with a final score of 90-57.

Records:

• Western New England: 9-13, 7-8 CCC
• Nichols College: 8-14, 4-11 CCC

How It Happened: 

After a couple missed baskets back-and-forth for both teams, Julia Quinn nailed in a three pointer from the top of the arc to start off the scoring for Western New England. The Golden Bears seniors started off the game hot. Quinn's basket was followed by a layup from Grace Fisher and another one from Sam Bodey, and four defensive rebounds from Paige Brinkman, giving the Golden Bears a 7-0 start. Nichols College quickly tied the game up by scoring seven straight unanswered points of their own. The game became a blow for blow battle and a low scoring quarter ending 11-10 for the first quarter with WNE in the lead.

The Golden Bears scored the first four points of the second quarter and went up 15-10, both baskets came from Fisher. The Bisons fought their way back within one point of the Golden Bears at the 6:32 mark in the quarter for a score of 18-17. WNE did not let Nichols hit another basket for a few minutes of play, and they went on an eight-point run. The Golden Bears brought their lead up to double digits with three minutes remaining in the half, 29-19 from a three-pointer from Alexia Leon. Bodey added to the Team's three-point percentage with two more of her own in less than a minute left in the half. The period concluded at 39-22 WNE.

Quinn opened the third quarter with another three-point shot, and Fisher added two more layups for WNE. Leon also added another jump shot to put the lead at 45-29 at eight minutes of play for the third. There were two minutes and 12 seconds of time clicking that the Golden Bears did not hit a basket in the quarter until Shaina Cooney's made foul shot. She also hit the basket to put the Golden Bears up by more than 20 points for a score of 59-38 with less than three remaining in the third and followed it with two more made layups. The Golden Bears had taken complete control of the game and ended the third quarter 68-40 from a made jumper from Colleen Furlong at 00.06. 

Nichols scored the first points of the fourth quarter, but there was little hope for them crawling back in the game. Brinkman joined the rest of the Golden Bear seniors on the scoreboard by hitting three foul shots. Bodey added another jumper to her stats and put the team up 73-46 before all the Seniors exited the game for the night with 6:15 left in the game. The Golden Bears increased their lead for the remainder of the game. Caitlin Hunt came in the game and hit a quick layup that put them up 80-48 with just three minutes on the clock. The game was closed out by multiple foul shots taken by both teams, but The Golden bears got it done and won 90-57.

Inside the Numbers:

• As a team, the Golden Bears shot a 39.7 percent from the floor, 26.1 percent from the three, 59.5 percent from the foul line, while grabbing 65 rebounds, 19 assists, five blocks, and three steals.
• Nichols College had 27.1 percent from the paint, 25.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 63.2 percent from the free throw line while pulling down only 34 rebounds, eight assists, one block, and eight steals
• The Golden Bears were led by Fisher who had 19 points, nine rebounds, and three assist. Cooney added 16 more points of her own, six rebounds, and one assist.
• Brinkman led the team in rebounds, recording 12 for the game with three points, two assists, and one block. 

Up Next:

• The Golden Bears will be on the road for their next game, Monday February 14, where they will compete against CCC opponent Gordon College with a 7 p.m. game time.
• Nichols College return home for their next game, Monday February 14, to host the Suffolk University Rams with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.