Women's Basketball Wraps 2018-19 Season with Loss to Lesley

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

HOLYOKE, Mass. – The Bay Path University women's basketball squad wrapped up their 2018-19 campaign with an 80-40 loss to visiting Lesley University in an NECC clash at the Bartley Athletic Center Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats finish with a 1-22 overall mark and a 0-17 record in NECC play, while the Lynx conclude with a 2-16 record in conference action and a 2-22 overall record.

Lesley build an early 9-4 lead behind three-pointers from graduate Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) and sophomore Karyn McEvoy (Quincy, Mass.) and a three-point play from freshman Kacey Johnson (Riverdale, Ga.) with 5:07 on the clock. Back-to-back buckets from junior Dakota Jones (Torrence, Calif.) and sophomore Michelle Ginouves (Harvard, Mass.) extended the Lynx advantage to 13-6. Bay Path sophomore Emmeline Bronson (Shelton, Conn.) knocked down a jumper off a turnover, but Lesley closed the quarter with a 7-2 run to hold a 20-10 lead.

The squads exchanged baskets to open the second quarter until the Lynx used an 8-0 run, featuring seven points from Jones to possess a 32-14 lead. Wildcat senior Jo Nazario (Springfield, Mass.) buried a three-pointer and then classmate Samantha Drapinski (Malden, Mass.) connected on a jumper to work at the deficit. Lesley posted 13 points in the final three minutes of the frame to take a 45-24 lead into halftime.

Bronson and Drapinski converted early buckets for Bay Path to open the third quarter. Lesley held the Wildcats scoreless for four minutes while extending their advantage to 52-27 with 3:48 remaining in the quarter. Bronson and Nazario added lat baskets as the Lynx built a 61-32 lead heading into the final quarter.

Lesley raced away with a 13-4 run, paced by four-point efforts from Jones and McEvoy, in the fourth quarter to push their lead to 74-36. Ginouves netted a pair of late buckets as Lesley cruised to the 80-40 victory.

Nazario netted a season-high 18 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the field, with a season-high 12 rebounds. Bronson tallied 16 points with three assists and three rebounds, while Drapinski matched a season-high with six points.

Jones registered her second 20-20 game of the season, powering the Lynx with a game-high 25 points and a season-high 22 rebounds. McEvoy and Johnson netted 15 points apiece, while Ginouves chipped in 12 points off the bench.

The Wildcats shot 28.3% (15-of-53) from the field, while the Lynx connected on 45.2% (33-of-73) from the floor. Lesley controlled the glass (49-37) and converted 31 points off turnovers.