GAME OVERVIEW:
Cambridge, Mass- A strong first half for Elms College proved too much for the Lesley University Women's basketball team falling to the Blazers 75-64. The Lynx had a strong second half outscoring Elms 40-36, but a 23-11 second quarter in favor of the Blazers proved to be the difference maker giving Elms their second NECC win. With the loss Lesley slips to 2-10 overall and 2-3 in NECC play, while the Blazers improve to 3-9 and 2-3 in the NECC.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- The first quarter saw back and forth action, keeping the scoring even or within two points. Junior McKenna Straube broke the even exchange with a bug 3-pointer to give Lesley an 11-8 lead with 3:33 left on the clock.
- Regina LeBlanc drove to the hoop for a lay up and then sunk two free throws during 6-2 to close out the first quarter 16-13 for the Blazers.
- Freshman Elizabeth Portante got in the paint for a lay up to put the Lynx on the board first in the second quarter and get within one point. The Blazers responded with a 9-2 run and gained control to dominate the quarter outscoring the Lynx 23-11 .
- Elms was sparked by Kayla Aberdale sinking three 3-pointers off the bench. Portante led the Lynx in scoring with 13 points at the half.
- Lesley outscored the Blazers in the second half behind efforts from Straube and Dakota Jones. Jones pounded the boards with 10 rebounds while also adding 13 points in the half, and Straube chipped in 9 points of her own. Despite a valiant effort from the Lynx squad, they came up just short in the final minutes of play falling 75-64.
- Jones led all scorers in the game finishing with a double-double, 20 points and 17 rebounds. Portante was close behind with 17 points for the Lynx. Mackenzie Larochelle and Regina Leblanc led the Blazers with 19 points apiece.
- The Blazer's proved deeper in depth with 23 bench points to Lesley's 6, while the Lynx shot 44% from 3-point range over Elm's 23%.
STAT LEADERS:
Lesley
Dakota Jones- 20 points, 17 rebounds, 1 block
Elizabeth Portante- 17 points, 6 rebounds
McKenna Straube- 12 points, 1 assist
Elms
Regina Leblanc- 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals
Mackenzie Larochelle- 19 points, rebounds
THE INSIDE SCOOP:
"It was a hard fought loss tonight, but it was an incredible display of mental toughness," said head coach Jake Mattleman. "We clawed our way back in the second half and played with heart. I can't say enough about the character of our team," Mattleman said proudly.
UP NEXT:
Lesley hits the court again tomorrow afternoon at 3pm for a non-conference match against Lyndon State.