SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 18, 2023) – The Western New England women's basketball team took a six-point lead into the fourth quarter, though saw a late spark from the Vassar College Brewers, connect on late three balls to take the championship game of the Hampton Inn Holiday Classic and defeat the Golden Bears by a final score of 72-65.

Records:

• Western New England: 3-2
• Vassar College: 3-1

How it Happened:

Vassar jumped out to an early 12-6 lead in the contest after Julia Harvey connected from three with 6:47 to play in the first quarter to get the Brewers some early momentum in the game. Western New England would bring the Brewers lead down to two after Vassar took an eight-point lead as Shaina Cooney, Emma Kahn, and Colleen Furlong all got to the rim and scored points for the Golden Bears at the midway point of the first. The high-scoring opening quarter would see the Brewers take a 23-20 lead.

Western New England would come around and take a 30-28 lead when Lindsey Carey drained a three off a missed jump shot from Vassar, giving WNE their first lead of the game. Western New England's lead would last for the remainder of the quarter, as the Golden Bears would outscore the Brewers 21-10 in the quarter. Tara Laugeni and Emma Novajasky would score buckets for the Golden Bears, while both Lilly Hedge and Shaina Cooney would help on the offensive glass to give Western New England a 41-33 lead at the end of 20 minutes of play.

Emma Kahn opened the third quarter with the first basket, followed by a made free throw on a three-point play. Western New England would maintain their double-digit lead for the majority of the half until the Brewers put together an 8-2 run to close the third quarter, as WNE's 14-point third quarter lead dropped to six, leading Vassar 55-49.

Vassar would quickly even the score again at 57 with 7:48 to play in the fourth quarter, wiping away WNE's 14-point lead. The Brewers would use a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter before Western New England would get back on the board with 3:21 to play. Emma Kahn's three-ball with 2:26 to play would get WNE back within five points of the lead, though Vassar would connect on free throws down the stretch, winning the Hampton Inn Holiday Classic by a final score of 72-65.

Inside the Lines:

• After shooting nearly 50% from the field in the opening half, Western New England made just two shots in the fourth and seven total second-half field goals.
• Lilly Hedge led WNE with 14 points in the game while grabbing three rebounds and two assists.
• Shaina Cooney also recorded double digits in scoring, collecting ten points while pulling down six rebounds.
• WNE scored 36 points in the paint, while the WNE bench came through with 25 points in the game.
• Vassar made eight three-balls in the win. Sierra McDermed collected 19 points, including two threes.
• Following the game Lilly Hedge and Shaina Cooney were named to the All-Tournament All-Star team.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears are back in action on Tuesday, November 21 at 5:00 PM, hosting Eastern Connecticut State University.