HENNIKER, N.H. -- The Mount Holyoke College basketball team neutralized a hot New England College team in the second quarter, but the host Pilgrims controlled the second half in a 75-35 non-conference victory on Saturday afternoon.

First-year Alex Twomey (Nutley, N.J.) scored a game-high 17 points and added nine rebounds and five steals for the Lyons (1-6). Twomey scored all seven of Mount Holyoke's points in the first quarter and added field goals in each subsequent quarter. She shot 6-21 from the field (.286) but made 3-5 shots from deep (.600). The 5-foot-6 guard currently leads the Lyons in scoring (13.5 points per game), rebounding (7.2) and steals (3.3).

NEC (7-3) jumped out to an early 16-2 lead and a 24-7 edge after one quarter. Mount Holyoke held NEC scoreless for the first four minutes of the second quarter to creep back within 12 (24-12) after a steal and dish by Twomey to sophomore Cal McGonagle (Yarmouth, Maine) for a layup, followed by a 3-pointer from first-year Kendall Maurer (Orinda, Calif.). Mount Holyoke outscored NEC 12-11 in the quarter, with McGonagle and Maurer combining for nine points.

NEC turned up its defensive pressure in the third quarter, forcing seven turnovers and outscoring Mount Holyoke 19-8 for a 54-27 lead. The hosts didn't relent in the fourth quarter, adding 13 points to their lead with 21 points in the period, all scored from off the bench.

Ericka Pratt, Lara Matias and Kathleen Rodriguez scored 10 points apiece to pace the Pilgrims. Pratt and Rodriguez combined for 17 rebounds, leading NEC to a 54-34 advantage on the boards. NEC shot 31-72 (.431) from the floor for the game and held Mount Holyoke to 11 field goals on 56 attempts (.196), while winning the turnover battle 31-24.

The Lyons will next play Tuesday at 5pm at SUNY Cobleskill.