SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 2, 2024) – The Western New England women's basketball team held the visiting Leopards of Wentworth Institute of Technology to just 12 first-half points while pouring in 79 points on the night to pick up where they left off in 2023, grabbing a 50-point victory, 79-29, over Wentworth on Tuesday evening.

Records:

• Western New England: 8-3, 3-1 CCC
• Wentworth Institute of Technology: 2-4, 0-2 CCC

How it Happened:
Lindsey Carey would continue to have an impact for the Golden Bears, scoring ten of the first 12 points of the game against Wentworth, including the opening jumper of the game to get the blue and gold moving early. Wentworth would score the first of their four points in the first half with 7:13 remaining, giving the Leopards some promise in the contest before the Golden Bears would come away with the final nine points of the first quarter to end the quarter on a 9-0 run to lead 16-4 after ten minutes of play. Caitlyn Hunt would put back a layup at the buzzer to give the Golden Bears the 12-point edge after one quarter.

Wentworth's Maddy Foster would score six of the Leopards eight points in the second quarter, as offense would be hard to find on the night for the road team. Western New England's would styme the Leopards with defense while knocking down nine field goals in the second quarter, including three three-point shots. Emma Novajasky would drop the first of three threes in the quarter, while Emma Kahn and Lindsey Carey would dial up triples from deep to quickly put the Golden Bears ahead by 20 points in the game. Six points from Lilly Hedge would see Western New England take a commanding 43-12 lead after the first 20 minutes of play.

Despite seeing Western New England score the first 15 points in the third quarter, Wentworth would see the Golden Bears put together their best quarter of the game, coming away with 11 points in the third. For WNE, offense would come across the board, with Lindsey Carey, Lilly Hedge, Emma Novajasky, Erin Reen, Caitlyn Hunt, and Sarah West all contributing on the offensive end in the quarter for the Golden Bears, as WNE would take a 43-point lead at the end of the quarter, leading 63-23.

Western New England would match their first quarter total of 16 points in the fourth quarter, as 13 of 15 Golden Bears who played in the contest would contribute points on the night to take down the visitors. WNE would notch the first six points in the fourth, as Tara Laugeni, Charlotte Jordan, and Caeli Fitzpatrick would grab buckets for WNE. Abby Marasco and Sophie Hedge would splash three-pointers in the quarter, while Hannah Blake would cap off the 50-point win for the Golden Bears as Western New England would take down the Leopards by a final score of 79-29.

Inside the Lines:

• Lindsey Carey collected her third straight game of double-figure scoring, dropping 23 points on 9/11 shooting, including 3/5 from deep. Carey scooped six rebounds, grabbed one assist, and one steal in the win.
• Emma Novajaksy was the only other Golden Bear with double digits in scoring, collecting ten points on 3/5 shooting and knocking down three free throws in the win.
• WNE recorded 13 steals in the win while forcing the Leopards into 27 turnovers.
• 13 different Golden Bears recorded points in the win.
• Wentworth saw Maddy Foster record 11 points in the loss, a team-best.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England is back in action on Thursday, January 4, at 5:30 p.m., traveling to the University of Hartford.