Elms Blazes Past Bay Path 75-53
HOLYOKE, Mass.—In a New England Collegiate Conference local battle to NCAA DIII women's basketball the host Bay Path College fell 75-53 to rival Elms College today at the Bartley Center. Two players hit double doubles for the game including top scorer Blazer freshman forward Denisha Parks (Fall River, Mass.) who nailed 24 points and 13 buckets, while Wildcats were lead by junior guard Brittney Alexander (Enfield, Conn.) who tallied 17 points and ten boards.
Despite the loss, the Wildcats held their own in the first ten minutes of play keeping the score close 19-15 until Blazers senior forward Erika Murphy (Torrington, Conn.) led her team to a huge run scoring 21 points after hitting a nice jumper from the top of the box.
At 3:12 on the clock in the first half freshman guard Je'Quana Orr (East Hartford, Conn.) broke up a seven minute of scoreless effort by the Wildcats hitting a lay-up. Alexander would return with a jumper after a stop on defense and Orr would nail one from down town off a nice assist by Alexander's sister freshman guard Toni Alexander (Enfield, Conn.). Elms would answer with a made jumper and Brittney Alexander would finish the half with two made free throws to send the Wildcats into the locker room with a deficit of 42-24.
Bay Path would again make a valiant effort at 9:07 in the second half when Alexander hit a trey off a pass by her sister. Sophomore newcomer Kayla Skiffington (East Longmeadow, Mass.) nailed a jumper, while Brit Alexander hit another lay-up. Skiffington would again take advantage of the Blazers dry spell grab an offense board and put it back up twice. Brit Alexander would finish their 13 point run.
Toni Alexander would lead all players hitting four three-pointers finishing with 14 points. Orr would tally ten points and six boards while Skiffington had six points and ten rebounds. Sophomore center Taylor Riley (Colchester, Vt.) also had six points.
Murphy would conclude the day with ten points and nine rebounds. Coming off the bench, junior guard Jennifer Normandie (Westford, Mass.) had 15 points.
Elms is now 6-4 overall and 3-0 in the NECC, while Bay Path is 1-5 and 1-1 in league play. Bay Path will host Newbury on Tuesday, January 10th at 8:00 p.m., while Elms hosts Becker at 8:00 p.m. as well in more conference action.