Eastern Connecticut Handles Basketball, 59-26

Game Statistics

WILLIMANTIC, Mass. (Dec. 11, 2008) - Led by senior forward Kate Brunet, the Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball team cruised to a 59-26 victory over visiting Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Geissler Gymnasium. It was the Warriors fourth straight win. They are perfect in five all-time meetings against the Lyons.

Eastern Connecticut converted 44.4% (24-54) of its attempts from the floor, collecting 11 assists on 24 made baskets. The Warriors outrebounded Mount Holyoke 40-30 and came up with 12 steals. Brunet went 6-of-7 from the field en route to a game best 13 points. Senior guard Christina Amato and first year forward Piper Chapman tallied ten points apiece, while senior center Ashley McFetridge chipped in with nine points and a game high ten rebounds.

Mount Holyoke's 26 points were its fewest since the 1992-93 season, when it fell 69-25 to St. Joseph's College of Maine. The Lyons were limited to just 23.9% (11-46) shooting from the field and failed to knock down a three pointer in ten tries. They committed 23 turnovers. First year Christine Chancy netted a team best eight points. Classmate Emma Washauer totaled six points, and junior guard Erin Cain added five points a squad high eight boards.

After a slow start by both teams, the Warriors exploded for a 14-2 run to gain a 21-8 edge at the 5:47 mark of the first half. Mount Holyoke clawed its way back into the contest with an 8-2 spurt over the next three minutes to slice the deficit to 23-14 with 2:16 remaining in the opening frame.

Eastern Connecticut halted the rally with a 30 second timeout and proceeded to score the final seven points of the half. The Warriors led 30-14 at the break. McFetridge, Brunet and sophomore guard Jessica Moriarty each recorded seven points prior to the intermission. Chancy posted eight for the guests.

In the second half, it was all Eastern Connecticut (5-1, 1-0 LEC). The Warriors outscored Mount Holyoke 29-12 over the final 20 minutes to secure their fifth win of the year. Their final margin of 33 points was their largest of the night. Chapman collected eight second half points for the hosts. Cain had five for the Lyons.

Mount Holyoke (2-8, 0-0 NEWMAC) will be off until January 5, 2009, when it visits Western New England College for a non-conference contest beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Golden Bears downed the Lyons 49-41 in the season opener for both squads on November 15.