Nighthawks Drop Overtime Game to Pilgrims

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Newbury College women's basketball  fell to 0-2 on the young season after dropping a tough overtime loss to New England College, Wednesday evening, 65-63.

With the win the Pilgrims grab their first of the season improving to 1-1 overall.  The loss drops the Nighthawks to 0-2 on the season.

The two teams were evenly matched through the opening minutes before NEC hit back-to-back treys to go up 16-10 mid-way through the first.  Newbury battled back, cutting the deficit to two with 2:22 left in the half. NEC jumped back on top by four as time expired on junior forward Rachel Williams's (Chapel Hill, N.C.) lay-up.

NEC built an early nine point lead in the second half up 34-25 just five minutes in.  Newbury responded the Nighthawks would go on an 11-2 run to take their first lead since early in the game up 41-40 at the eight minute mark.

The Pilgrims would go up 58-55 as Shauntaye Pumphret (Bristol, N.H.) knocked down two  free throws with a minute remaining in regulation.  The Nighthawks answered on an Ashley Monteiro (Cambridge, Mass.) three-point jumper 38 seconds left on the clock to force overtime.

Down  by four with 2:06 left on the clock, Newbury cut the deficit to one, 64-63 with a Catherine O'Connell (Quincy, Mass.) lay-up and a free throw by Jalisa Fields (Bronx, N.Y.). The Nighthawks had several held on for the 65-63 victory.

Williams led New England College with 12 points, seven assists and a game-high 16 rebounds.  Jenna Ledy (Pickford, Mich) and Jessie Ledy (Pickford, Mich.) each chipped in 13 points and Carlin Hood (Windsor, Vt.) finished with 10 points for the Pilgrims.

Newbury's Ashley Monteiro led all scorers finishing with 18 points on a stellar 6-of-12 from three point range.  Catherine O'Connell finished with 16 points and a team-high 16 rebounds, while Shayla White (Dorchester, Mass.) chipped in 13 points for the Nighthawks.  Jalisa Fields grabbed 13 rebounds for Newbury.

The Nighthawks are back in action at the Endicott Tip-Off Tournament this weekend, where they will face Wesleyan (Conn.) at 8:00pm in Beverly, Mass.

- Game story provided by: New England College Sports Information

- Game photo by: Samantha Yanofsky