Suffolk Slips Past Women’s Basketball In Abbreviated Season Opener, 61-54

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's basketball team fell to Suffolk University, 61-54, on Saturday afternoon in its 2020-21 abbreviated season opener at MacDonald Gymnasium.

Today's contest also served as Senior Day for Endicott guards Shannon Gilbert (Easton, Conn.) and Olivia Valente (Saugus, Mass.) and team manager Chantel Burnett. On behalf of the Endicott Athletics & Recreation Department, thank you to all three seniors for your contributions to the Endicott women's basketball program and the College community, respectively.

As for the game, trailing 49-43 at the 9:17 mark of the fourth quarter, the Rams (2-1) used a 10-0 run over a 4:16 span (7:50-3:34) to jump out to a 53-49 lead and never relinquished it the rest of the way.

Gulls' sophomore guard Emily St. Thomas (Sterling, Mass.) cut into the deficit with a jumper 17-seconds later (53-51) to try and spark the home squad, but Suffolk answered immediately with another unanswered scoring flurry, this time a 6-0 run over a 2:02 span, to ensure the win.

St. Thomas led Endicott with a career-high 15 points to go along with six rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Gilbert also added 11 points, five boards, three helpers, and one steal, while Valente chipped in with a career-high 10 rebounds.

Lexi Gellerman (West Hartford, Conn.) and Cassie Caldwell (Marshfield, Mass.) rounded out the list of individual highlights for the Gulls with eight points apiece.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Caldwell's eight points were a career-high.
• Today's game featured six ties and six lead changes.
• Despite the loss, Endicott still holds a 15-11 advantage in the all-time series.
• Suffolk held a 44-8 advantage on points in the paint.
• Endicott's bench outscored Suffolk's 24-4. 
• The Gulls led today's contest for 19:53 (tied 7:27).

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (0-1) and Suffolk's (2-1) next opponents will be announced on their respective websites next week.

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)