CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Newbury College Nighthawks topped Lesley University 54-28 in the New England Collegiate Conference opener for both schools tonight at the Nicholas Athletic Center. The Nighthawks improve to 2-6 on the season while the Lynx fall to 0-5.
The Nighthawks saw three players score in double-figures, including a game-high 21 points from junior Katelyn Roeser (Nashua, N.H.). Roeser knocked down five triples in the game and added eight rebounds to her line. Sophomore Janetis Cardona (Southbridge, Mass.) filled the stat sheet with 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals while junior Jovanna Sandifer (Boston, Mass.) added 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
The Lynx were led by senior Grace Amato (Sharon, Vt.) who finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and two blocks while junior Jackie Ewing (Hong Kong) grabbed a team-best ten boards to go with her eight points. Freshman Courtney Goggin (Cheshire, Conn.) ended with three points and six rebounds while senior Anthea Rathjens (Sudbury, Mass.) collected eight boards on the night.
The Lynx led 4-0 early on in the opening period as Amato hit on consecutive buckets from the low block. The lead would not last long as the Nighthawks would pull ahead with three triples. Cardona got the streak started before Roeser knocked down a pair from beyond the arc to give the guests a 9-5 edge.
Lesley would answer back with a Ewing trey and knot the game at 9-9 with an Amato free throw, but the Nighthawks followed with a 14-0 run to take a commanding 23-10 lead. Cardona and Roeser powered the burst as they combined for 12 of the points during the run.
Newbury would extend their lead to 18 points at the break and would not trail again in the contest.
The Nighthawks held the edge down low as they out-rebounded the Lynx by a 53-47 margin and held a 22-12 edge in points in the paint.
Lesley will return to action on Monday, December 8th when they travel to St. Joseph's College (CT) at 7:30p. Newbury will return home after a five-game road stretch as they welcome Becker College on Saturday at 12:00p.