HENNIKER, N.H. -- The Mount Holyoke College basketball team led 20-14 after one quarter, but the host New England College Pilgrims roared back with a dominating middle of the game, ending with a 72-48 non-conference win over the Lyons on Thursday night.
NEC rose to 5-4 on the season and 4-1 all-time against Mount Holyoke (0-8).
The Lyons scored first on a jumper by sophomore Sofia Francisco (Boston, Mass.), assisted by senior Cal McGonagle (Yarmouth, Maine). A 6-0 spurt, with a basket by first-year Helena Robinson (Gales Ferry, Conn.) followed by two straight layups by Francisco, put the Lyons in a 10-4 lead.
A steal and assist by senior Katie Rha (Douglaston, N.Y.) to Robinson for a layup gave Mount Holyoke a game-high eight-point lead at 14-6 with 3:37 left in the quarter, and a layup by sophomore Hannah Goen (New London, N.H.) made it an eight-point game again at 16-8 with 2:02 left.
The Lyons carried a six-point advantage into the second period, with Francisco (4-4) and Robinson (3-3) both perfect from the field.
A 3-pointer by sophomore Emma Zoubok (Somers, N.Y.) gave Mount Holyoke a 23-15 lead less than two minutes into the second quarter, but a jumper by Bailey Burke in response began a run of 11 unanswered points over three minutes by the Pilgrims, as they overtook the lead at 26-23. NEC got a 3-pointer by Amanda Davila and a layup by Mary Drakes in the final 98 seconds of the half to seize a nine-point lead before a jumper by McGonagle closed the half at 35-28 in favor of the hosts.
Mount Holyoke started the second half cold, missing its first nine shots and committing five turnovers before a three by first-year Melina Pena (Miami, Fla.) ended the drought with 2:29 to go in the period. By then the hosts had built a 20-point lead at 48-28.
The Pilgrims extended their lead as high as 27 (64-37) as they kept the game out of reach the rest of the way.
Mount Holyoke tied its season low in turnovers (17) but was outshot from the field (.435 to .338), from three-point land (.400 to .100) and at the foul line (.714 to .500).
Robinson and McGonagle scored 11 points apiece and Francisco finished with 10 for Mount Holyoke. Robinson had eight rebounds and Francisco and McGonagle had seven apiece.
Macy Gordon shot 4-5 from three off the bench for NEC to share the game scoring lead with Burke at 12 points each. Ajayah Lively had 12 rebounds and six assists for the Pilgrims.
Mount Holyoke will play at Fitchburg State Saturday at 12pm in search of its first win.
