Women’s Basketball Downed By Anna Maria

HOLYOKE, Mass. - The Bay Path women's basketball team suffered a 78-42 setback to the visiting Anna Maria College at the Bartley Athletic Center Thursday night. With the loss, the Wildcats slide to 0-6 on the season, while the AMCATS improve to 3-2 overall. 

Anna Maria jumped out to an 18-8 lead after the first quarter and pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring Bay Path, 33-15, in the frame to hold a 51-23 at the half. Anna Maria limited the Wildcats to 19 points in the second half en route to the 78-42 victory. 

Junior Emmeline Bronson (Shelton, Conn.) helmed the Wildcats attack with a game-high 23 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from three-point range and 4-of-5 from the foul line. Bronson added five rebounds and two assists in the loss. Freshman Heaven Rodriguez (New Britain, Conn.) chipped in eight points, five assists and three rebounds, while junior Nyasia Reeves (Peekskill, N.Y.) tallied six points and seven rebounds. 

The AMCATS had three scorers in double figures, led by a team-high 16 points and seven assists from junior Amber Wilson (New York, N.Y.). Senior Sierra Johnson (Brockton, Mass.) netted 14 points shooting 5-of-6 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the foul line. Sophomore Ashley Rufo (Pittsfield, Mass.) contributed 13 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists off the bench. 

The Wildcats shot 28.8% (15-of-52) from the floor, while Anna Maria connected on 46.2% (30-of-65) of their field goal attempts and 87.5% (14-of-16) from the charity stripe. The AMCATS edged the Wildcats on the glass, 42-28, during the contest. 

Bay Path will look to capture their first victory of the season when they kick off New England Collegiate Conference play at Dean College Saturday at Noon. Anna Maria hosts Eastern Nazarene College in non-conference play Saturday at 1:00 p.m.