Story courtesy of Rob Palardy, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The #2 seed Lesley University women's basketball never trailed in their 76-46 victory over #4 seed Elms College in the New England Collegiate Conference Championship (NECC) game and in the process won their second consecutive NECC title. 

Lesley (16-8, 14-2 NECC) defeated Elms (12-16, 9-7 NECC) for the third time this season behind 28 points from senior Hailee Lowe (HAMILTON, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham Regional) who won NECC Tournament Most Valuable Player.  Lowe averaged 26.0 points/g and 6.5 rebounds/g and added four assists and five steals in two playoff games. 

The Lynx proved early in the first half that the wanted to take control of game with a 14-2 run over the opening 6:29 of the period.  Lowe scored eight of her 12 first half points during this run to set the pace of the game. 

The Blazers clawed their way back into the game with an impressive 13-4 run of their own to cut Lesley's lead down to just four points with 7:32 remaining in the half.  Annie Dunnack (MANSFIELD CENTER, Conn./E.O. Smith) scored five of her 10 points on a three-pointer and layup during this stretch.  Dunnack, who was named to the NECC All-Tournament Team after the game, finished the game going 4-of-9 from the field including two three-point shots.  She also grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists before fouling out in the second half.

In the final minutes of the first half, Lesley regained composure to expand their lead to 14 points going into halftime at 33-19.  Fifteen first half turnovers by Elms led to 16 points by the Lynx, but the Blazer bench kept their team in the game with 13 points. 

In the second half, Lesley's two top scorers Lowe and Kaitlyn Wechsler (MERRICK, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy Academy) helped to double the Lynx lead to their eventual 30-point victory.  Lowe scored 16 points in the second stanza and Wechsler, who was quiet in the first half, rebounded to score 12 points on 3-of-5 from the floor with a three-pointer and a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. 

Elms sophomore guard Carolyn Talmadge (WILBRAHAM, Mass./Minnechaug Regional) led her team with eight points in the second half including 2-of-4 from long range.  Talmadge was named to the NECC All-Tournament Team after totaling a team-high 12 points with three assists, a steal and a rebound.  Jen Normandie (WESTFORD, Mass./Westford Academy) contributed with seven rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes off the bench. 

Lesley senior Georgia Saltzman (LYNN, Mass./Lynn English) scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting with a three-point basket.  She also tallied two rebounds, two steals, and an assist in the championship game.  Two players of the Lynx bench had significant contributions as Rachael O'Mara (LEVITTOWN, N.Y./General Douglas McArthur) and Katie Rathman (READING, Pa./Exeter Township Senior) added six and five points, respectively.  The two combined for three assists and three steals in the game. 

After winning their second NECC Championship in as many years, the Lynx will now wait to find out if they will be making a trip to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament.

NECC All-Tournament Team

Most Valuable Player: Hailee Lowe, Lesley University, Sr., Center
Jodi Fralick, Lesley University, Sr., Guard
Annie Dunnack, Elms College, Sr., Guard
Carolyn Talmadge, Elms College, So., Guard
Vanessa Bosques, Daniel Webster College, So., Guard
Allison Peck, Mitchell College, Jr., Guard