CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Eastern Nazarene College saw four players finish in double-figures as the Lions stumped Lesley University in the home opener for the Lynx 80-52 tonight at the Nicholas Athletics Center. ENC senior Jessica Franco (Phoenix, Ariz.) and junior Ashley Rendon (Henderson, Nev.) paced the way for the guests with 15 points apiece on a combined 13-of-17 shooting from the floor.
The Lions jump to 2-0 on the young season while the Lynx fall to 0-2.
After a sluggish start for both sides in the first quarter, the Lions used a trey from junior Jacquelin Arretche (Los Banos, Calif.) to open an 11-4 lead. The Lynx would pull back to within five as freshman Linda Wallentine (Monroe Township, N.J.) hit a jumper and a triple of her own to trim the deficit to 14-9. The hot shooting would continue for Eastern Nazarene as they would close out the quarter on a 10-4 streak capped by another Arretche three.
Lynx first year Dakota Jones (Torrance, Calif.) started the second quarter off with a jumper, but the Lions offense started to take over and reeled off 12 straight points before Lesley senior Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) interrupted the run with a triple. ENC would take the momentum right back and close the quarter on a 12-4 run to take a commanding 48-21 lead into the locker room.
ENC's advantage would grow as large as 34 in the second half as they cruised to their second straight victory.
Lions junior Jaysa Cooper (Frisco, Texas) added 14 points, seven rebounds, and a pair of steals while Arretche hit on three from beyond the arc on her way to a 13 point evening. Junior Shelby Holmes (Seeley Lake, Mont.) added six points, five boards, and five steals and freshman Sam Cary (Keller, Texas) came off the bench for six points and nine boards.
Jones posted her second straight double-double for the Lynx, netting 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting to go along with a game-best 12 boards. Fellow first year Kylie Lounder (Belchertown, Mass.) dropped a game-high 17 points while grabbing six caroms and Wallentine also finished in double-figures with 11 points.
ENC held a distinct edge on the glass (58-39) while turning 21 Lesley turnovers into 23 points.
Both teams will return to action on the road on Tuesday, November 22nd. The Lynx will travel to Fisher College for an 8:00p tip while the Lions will head to Pine Manor College at 7:00p.