SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 31, 2026) – The women's basketball team won by 21 points at home on Saturday. The 27 combined points from Sophie Hedge and Paige Winter helped lead the Golden Bear offense, while Olivia Chrzan's seven blocks led the Golden Bear defense. A defense that held the Rams to four first-quarter points and 35 total points.

Records:
Western New England: 13-6, 7-3 CNE
Suffolk University: 10-10, 4-7 CNE

How it Happened:
First Quarter:

• The Golden Bears started the game quickly with seven points in the first 1:35. Five of those points were thanks to Sophie Hedge, who hit the opening three off a Paige Winter assist and then had a fast break layup assisted by Erin Reen.
• The teams traded turnovers and a few missed shots through the opening minutes of the contest. The Golden Bears took advantage of being fouled, making all four of their free throws.
• After a last-second jump shot from Sophie Hedge, the Golden Bears built a 15-4 lead after the first quarter, with Hedge having seven of the team's fifteen total points. The lead was mainly built due to WNE's six points off turnovers in the opening quarter of play.

Second Quarter:

• The Golden Bears continued to extend their lead in the second as they limited the Rams' offense and saw Katie Regan add four early points in the first 2:28 of the quarter. That helped WNE move their lead to 20 with 6:23 left in the first half.
• The teams traded shots with WNE answering every Suffolk attempt to cut into their lead. The lead would grow to as much as 24 points during the second quarter, thanks to Paige Winter, who shot 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the second quarter.
• The Rams would score four points late in the half to cut the lead down a little, but WNE still led 34-14 at the halftime break. The Golden Bears' 46.15% shooting percentage in the second and 100% shooting percentage from three led WNE through the second quarter. They grabbed ten more points off turnovers and saw sixteen of their 34 points scored off the bench in the first half.

Third Quarter:

• The Golden Bears did not let up to start the third. Hedge hit a three-pointer 19 seconds in, and Hannah Blake added two free throw shots. The Rams countered with a 7-2 run in the early stages of the second half.
• The teams then went into a defensive battle for much of the end of the third quarter. The Golden Bears broke the stalemate with a few points from Katie Regan and Lottia Barnes.
• The teams traded shots in the final minute, and WNE would hold a commanding 49-23 lead entering the final quarter of play. They shot 5-15 from the field and saw offensive rebounds help them extend their lead, scoring 7 second-chance points in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

• A made jumper from Sophie Hedge opened the quarter one last time. It was immediately answered with a 12-3 run from Suffolk. The Rams were not leaving Springfield without a fight.
• The Golden Bears saw Katie Regan add two free throws to their total with 1:42 left in the contest, and they would be the final points of the game for either side as WNE walked out of the Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center gym with a 56-35 win versus the Rams.
• The Golden Bears had a rough fourth quarter, shooting 1-13 from the field and missing three free throws, but it was enough to hold onto the large 21-point victory.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears defeated the Rams 56-35 on Saturday afternoon.
• They were led on the offensive side by Sophie Hedge, who had a double-double, with 16 points (5-10 from the field) and 12 rebounds. Hedge also had a steal.
• Paige Winter also landed in double digits for points, with 11. Winter also had two assists, two rebounds, and a steal.
• On defense, Olivia Chrzan led WNE with seven blocks in 16 minutes of play.
• Allison Bono led the Rams with 11 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a blocked shot.
• WNE ended the contest with 20 points off turnovers, 16 second-chance points, and 19 points coming from the bench.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will travel to Milton, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 5:30 PM to take on the Colonels of Curry College.