DUDLEY, Mass. — The Endicott College women's basketball team defeated Nichols, 73-70, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action on Tuesday evening.
Tara Laugeni (Woodbridge, Conn.) led all scorers with 23 points (8-20 FG, 7-11 FT), 10 boards, three steals, and two blocks.
Sarah Dempsey (Windham, N.H.) registered her third double-double this season with 16 points (5-16 FG, 6-8 FT) and a career-high 20 rebounds (seven offensive, 13 defensive).
Libby Fleming (Bangor, Maine) also filled up the stat sheet with 10 points (2-3 3PT), 10 boards, and five dimes.
Endicott raced out to an early 18-8 advantage in the opening quarter behind an 11-3 run. The offensive spurt was powered by Laugeni (4), Emily St. Thomas (Sterling, Mass.) (2), Cassie Caldwell (Marshfield, Mass.) (2), Fleming (2), and Tenley Wallin (Danbury, Conn.) (1).
Nichols responded with a 17-4 run of its own in the second quarter to manufacture an eventual 30-26 lead at halftime.
From there, both teams scored 23 points in the third quarter before the Gulls pulled away in the fourth by breaking a 66-66 tie with a 7-4 run.
Laugeni buried two free throws and a layup (70-66, 2:21), while Dempsey nailed three clutch free throws down the stretch to break another tie, this time at 70-all with 2:01 to play.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- With tonight's victory, Endicott has won 14 out of the last 15 meetings against Nichols dating back to 12/2/2015.
- Dempsey's 20-rebound performance is tied for second all-time in a single game (tied second with two others).
- Fleming notched her first career double-double.
- The Gulls out-rebounded the Bison, 52–38.
- The game saw eight lead changes and nine ties.
- Endicott outscored Nichols in the paint, 32-18.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (6-8, 4-3 CCC) hosts Roger Williams on Saturday, January 7 at 1:00 PM. Nichols (2-10, 1-6 CCC) travels to Wentworth this Saturday at 1:00 PM.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Liv Cutting)
