DUDLEY, Mass. (December 5, 2023) – The Western New England women's basketball team got production from all over their roster in Tuesday's conference contest at Nichols College, scoring 100+ points for the first time since 1983, defeating Nichols College by a final score of 104-84. Lindsey Carey, Tara Laugeni, and Lilly Hedge all eclipsed 20 or more points in the win for the Golden Bears.

Records:

• Western New England: 6-3, 2-1 CCC
• Nichols College: 4-3, 1-1 CCC

How it Happened:
Western New England would look to end 2023 on a high note in conference play, taking on one of the most difficult defensive pressures in the conference, the Bison of Nichols College. Nichols College got off to a hot start on offense, scoring the first four points of the game. Nichols would notch nine of the first 13 points in the opening quarter, as the high-scoring affair would begin early. Shaina Cooney and Lilly Hedge scored the first two buckets for Western New England in the contest. The Golden Bears grabbed their first lead of the game with 4:41 to play in the opening quarter when Abby Garaban connected on a layup while grabbing an offensive rebound to connect for two points as Western New England would lead 10-9. Tara Laugeni would put together a career game with Western New England, scoring her first jumper of the game. Nichols would climb back to tie the game at 14 and would pull ahead late in the quarter when Kiera Fernandes and Leandra Ortiz helped Nichols take a 27-22 lead at the end of the first ten minutes of play.

A 10-0 run for Western New England would see the Golden Bears flip their five-point deficit into a five-point lead as the Golden Bears defense would stuff the Bison early in the second quarter. Colleen Furlong, Abby Garaban, and Shaina Cooney would get the Golden Bears rolling in the second quarter. The Bison would connect on just three field goals in the second quarter, while Western New England raced out for 15 field goals in the second quarter to dominate Nichols 31-15 in the second quarter. The Golden Bears would continue to stay hot in the quarter as Tara Laugeni and Lindsey Carey would combine for 18 points for the Golden Bears in the quarter. Western New England would take a 53-42 lead at the break.

Western New England's offense would continue to rise in the second half, dropping 25 points in the third quarter. Lilly Hedge would drop a quick six points for the Golden Bears in the quarter, while Tara Laugeni would come away with five points in the frame. Western New England's double-digit lead would get cut into in the late stages of the third quarter when Kiera Fernandes dropped a triple for the Bison to make the score 69-62 with 2:26 to play. From there, the Golden Beas would regain their double-digit lead and would use a last-second Lindsey Carey jumper to lead by 12 at the end of the third quarter.

Nichols would get within five points of Western New England's lead in the fourth quarter as the Golden Bears continued to shred the Bison defense. After a three-point shot from Nichols's leading scorer, Abrianna Vazquez, Western New England would turn up the heat and regain a ten-point lead when Lindsey Carey finished a layup at the rim while being fouled, converting on the and-one opportunity. The Golden Bears finished the game on a 11-2 run with Lilly Hedge converting on two free throws with 2:15 to play, knocking home Western New England's 100^th point of the night as the Golden Bears would drop 100+ points for the first time since 1983. Sarah West and Emma Novajasky would finish the game with the final two baskets of the game for Western New England, as the Golden Bears would take care of the Bison for the fifth straight game and 18^th win in their last 19 games against Nichols by a final score of 104-84.

Inside the Lines:

• Three Golden Bears dropped at least 20 points in the game, as Lindsey Carey (29), Tara Laugeni (22), and Lilly Hedge (20) would finish with big offensive nights for the Golden Bears.
• Lilly Hedge and Lindsey Carey recorded their first career double-doubles in the win.
• The Golden Bears shot 61% from the field, scoring all 44 field goals from two-point range. WNE was 0/4 from the distance.
• The Golden Bears scored 74 of their 104 points in the paint while out-rebounding Nichols 64-25.
• Colleen Furlong recorded seven points and eight assists in the game, leading all players in assists.
• Nichols has given up 75+ points in six of their seven games this season while scoring at least 80 points in six of seven games.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will wrap up the 2023 portion of their schedule on Saturday, December 9 at 12:00 pm, traveling to Westfield State University.