Women’s Basketball Falls To Pine Manor

HOLYOKE, Mass. -  The Bay Path University women's basketball team fell to visiting Pine Manor College, 79-54, in a non-conference clash at the Bartley Athletic Center Tuesday night. With the loss, the Wildcats dip to 0-5 on the season, while the Gators improve to 1-2 overall. 

The Wildcats offense was spearheaded by freshman Heaven Rodriguez (New Britain, Conn.) and junior Emmeline Bronson (Shelton, Conn.), who accounted for 87% of the team's scoring on the night. Rodriguez stuffed the stat sheet with a career-high 23 points, a career-high nine rebounds, four steals and three assists while connecting on 8-of-9 attempts from the free throw line. Bronson netted 26 points with six rebounds, and sophomore Yakira Edwards (Waterbury, Conn.) added nine points and seven rebounds in the loss. 

The Gators had five scorers in double figures, paced by 19 points from junior Courtney Foley (Holbrook, Mass.). Junior Kierra Jackson (Pikesville, Md.) registered a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Freshman Mandy Mastropasqua (Portland, Maine) chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Telaisha Soler (Lawrence, Mass.) logged 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Freshman Ladaeja Robinson (Boston, Mass.) tallied 13 points, six rebounds and four points off the bench and junior Nandi Eskridge (Pacifica, Calif.) grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. 

The Wildcats shot 29% (18-of-62) from the field and 66.7% from the foul line during the contest. Pine Manor connected on 38% (30-of-79) on their field goals, including 33.3% (4-of-12) from three-point range and 15-of-27 (55.6%) from the charity stripe. The Gators outrebounded the Wildcats, 61-45, during the contest. 

The Wildcats will return to the court with a non-conference clash against Anna Maria Thursday night at the Bartley Athletic Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Pine Manor hosts University of Maine-Fort Kent Sunday at Noon.