Stingy Defense Helps WBB Past New England College, 54-45

Stingy Defense Helps WBB Past New England College, 54-45
MILTON, Mass. – Curry College held visiting New England College to 18 second-half points, helping the Colonels post a 54-45 win in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) action Wednesday night in Milton. Curry improves to 8-12 overall and 3-5 in TCCC play, while the Pilgrims fall to 8-12 overall and 1-7 in conference action.

The Colonels led most of the first half, losing the lead only once. Curry held its biggest lead at 13:56 after freshman forward Hailey Rafferty (Worcester, MA) made a layup that stretched the lead to seven (14-7). The Pilgrims took their only first half lead (18-17) with 6:11 remaining after senior forward Kendall Wolfson (Lyndeborough, NH) hit a jump shot. Curry pulled back ahead until sophomore guard Hallie Price (South Beach, OR) sank a three-pointer to tie up the game with 11 seconds remaining in the first half which led to a 27-27 halftime score.

In the second frame, NEC pulled ahead early and went up by four points (33-29) after freshman guard Christina Bagnera (Revere, MA) hit a jumper. Curry battled back and pulled ahead with 8:55 remaining in regulation after freshman forward Julia Scrubb (Stowe, VT) made a layup to put the Colonels ahead 35-34. Curry maintained its lead and held their biggest lead with six seconds remaining after freshman guard Carolyn Houston (Melrose, NY) made a pair of free throws to account for the 54-45 final.

Rafferty led Curry in scoring with 11 points. Senior guard Liz Forte (Rutland, VT) and junior guard Joneiha Veiga (Brockton, MA) had 10 points apiece. Veiga led the Colonels on the boards pulling down nine rebounds.

NEC was led by sophomore forward Rachel Williams (Chapel Hill, NC) and her game-high 15 points. Wolfson was the only other Pilgrim in double figures with 10. Williams posted a double-double with a game-high 16 rebounds. Wolfson also recorded a double-double with 11 rebounds.

Curry returns to action on February 6, travelling to Eastern Nazarene for a 1:00 p.m. contest. New England College returns home for a 1:00 p.m. contest this Saturday against Western New England College.

Box Score/Play-By-Play