CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University fell to Elms College 71-50 in New England Collegiate Conference action tonight at the Nicholas Athletic Center. The Blazers improve to 8-5 on the season and hold a perfect 6-0 conference record with the win. The Lynx fall to 1-11 overall and 1-4 in NECC play.
Elms senior Denisha Parks (Fall River, Mass.) led four Blazers in double-figures with a game-high 22 points to go with her 12 rebounds. Sophomore Emily Burr (East Hartford, Conn.) knocked down a pair of triples on her way to 17 points while senior J.C. Pickett (Chicopee, Mass.) added ten points, six boards, and six steals. Junior Mariah Brown (Windsor Locks, Conn.) finished with ten points and led all players with four assists.
Lesley's offense was led by junior guard Jackie Ewing (Hong Kong) who finished with a team-high 16 points to go with her three steals. Senior Grace Amato (Sharon, Vt.) provided a spark off the bench for the Lynx as she chipped in with 11 points and seven boards in her reserve role. Freshman Kerry Flaherty (Woburn, Mass.) added nine points and six boards while knocking down 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Lynx held an early 6-5 edge before a Parks jumper put the Lynx ahead 7-6. The Blazers would not trail again on the evening. Lesley trailed 15-8 with 12:14 to go in the half before pulling to within two points with the use of a 7-2 spurt. Ewing capped the run with a triple from the wing.
The Blazers would give themselves some breathing room as they closed out the opening half on a 21-4 run that sent them into the locker room with a 38-19 advantage. Parks and Brown each had six points for the Blazers during the run.
The Lynx struggled from the field in the first half, converting just 25-percent (7-of-28) of their shots while the Blazers hit on 40-percent (15-of-38).
Elms continued their momentum after the break as they opened the second half on a 13-6 run as they rolled to the 71-50 victory.
The Blazers defense was relentless on the night as they caused 32 Lynx turnovers – 21 coming from steals – that turned in 37 points for the visitors. Elms also held a slim 41-38 rebounding edge over Lesley, but used 16 offensive caroms that led to 16 second chance points.
The Lynx improved from the floor in the second stanza as they hit nearly 50-percent (10-of-21) of their opportunities and finished the game an outstanding 14-of-16 from the free throw line.
The Lynx continue NECC play on Saturday when they travel to Mitchell College for a showdown with the Mariners at 1:00p. The Blazers will also return to conference play on Saturday when they travel to Weston, Mass. to play Regis College at 3:00p.