Sophomore center Gabby Felix posted a double-double for the third straight game with game highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds vs. Emerson College. (Photo courtesy of WSU)
BOSTON – A slim halftime lead wasn’t able to hold true Tuesday night as the Emerson Women’s Basketball Team fell 59-52 to the Westfield State Owls.
The Lions move to 2-3 on the year as Westfield State improves to 3-1 overall.
The first half saw the Owls come out to pound the boards as they out-rebounded the Lions 20-18. The Lion defense stepped up their pace after falling behind 12-5 in the first eight minutes of action, forcing 14 turnovers that EC capitalized on for 15 points.
With the Owls wearing down in the waning minutes of the half with Emerson’s press getting to them, Janissa Delzo stepped up to drop six on Westfield State and draw the score to 22-21 in the Owls favor. Some quick hands by Delzo gave EC a last-second opportunity which saw Sarah Maclean put in a jumper as time elapsed to give Emerson the 23-22 lead into the break.
The second half saw the Owls come out with a huge surge with 10 points in the paint alone while the Westfield State bench dominated in the half scoring 14 for the Owls.
Finding themselves reeling back from a quick 36-27 deficit, the Lions just couldn’t seem to shake the Owls, forcing EC to play more physical and rack up 14 fouls. The fouls gave Westfield State 21second-half free throws, 17 of which they made as they ran off with the 59-52 final.
Sophomore center Gabby Felix posted game highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Owls, while freshmen Keri Doldoorian and Tayler Travis scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. Brianna Kelly came off the bench to score nine points as the senior sharpshooter canned 9 of 10 free throws. For the game the Owls were 25 for 31 from the charity stripe.
Next up, the Lions will take to the road this Saturday as they travel to Rivier to kick-off GNAC action against the Raiders. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in Nashua, N.H. Westfield returns to Boston this Saturday to play Suffolk University.
