SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 16, 2010) - With sophomore guard Emily Savino leading the way, the Western New England College women's basketball team picked up a 48-37 victory over Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Alumni Healthful Living Center. It was the 2010-11 opener for both squads.
The Lyons were paced by guards Christine Chancy and Angelica Pascual, who collected 10 points, five rebounds and two assists apiece. First year Annabel Barrett posted seven points and six boards in her collegiate debut, while forwards Tricia Chase and Bree Hollinger added nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
Mount Holyoke converted just 22.0% (13-59) of its shots from the floor and 36.4% (8-22) of its free throw attempts. The Lyons racked up 28 offensive boards en route to a 50-39 edge on the glass.
Savino poured in 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor while also chipping in with three rebounds and a pair of assists. She went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and made both of her free throw attempts. The Golden Bears also received a boost from senior forward Taryn Belowsky, who finished with nine points and five boards. Junior center Sarah Proper added a game high 10 rebounds for Western New England, which shot 33.3% (16-48) from the field and 75.0% (12-16) from the charity stripe.
The Golden Bears scored the first 13 points of the game and held Mount Holyoke without a field goal until the 9:03 mark, when first year forward Jennine Vizcaino banked in a short jumper.
They enjoyed a 24-8 advantage following a jumper by junior guard Kathleen Jasinski, but Pascual and Barrett knocked down back-to-back three-pointers in the waning minutes of the first half the slice the deficit to 24-14.
After falling behind by 12 points in the early stages of the second stanza, Mount Holyoke scored on three straight possessions to cut the deficit to 30-24 at the 13:38 mark. Hollinger, Chase and Chancy each converted shots during the run.
The Lyons pulled within six points on four occasions after the break. They trailed 42-36 following a pair of free throws by Barrett at the 3:55 mark before surrendering six straight points over the next two minutes. Savino capped things off with a jumper with just over a minute remaining in regulation.
Mount Holyoke will return to action this weekend, when it hosts the final edition of the storied Seven Sisters Classic. The event will kick off with three games on Saturday and conclude with three more on Sunday. After facing off against Agnes Scott College on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., the Lyons will meet up with Vassar College on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The field will also include Smith College, Wellesley College and Bryn Mawr College.
