SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Endicott women's basketball team defeated Western New England (WNE), 63-56, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup on Saturday afternoon at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Sarah Dempsey (Windham, N.H.) led all scorers with 19 points (5-14 FG, 9-10 FT) to go along with eight boards.

Libby Fleming (Bangor, Maine) supplied 13 points (4-7 FG, 3-3 3PT) and snatched nine rebounds, while Emma Shinney (Wakefield, Mass.) produced an all-around stat line that included 10 points, six rebounds, and five dimes in 35 minutes. 

Taylor Bogdanski (Saugus, Mass.) also chipped in with nine points and notched six rebounds.

Endicott led by a narrow 13-12 advantage at the end of an up-and-down opening quarter.

From there, the visitors created some separation via a 9-0 burst which ignited their largest lead of the ballgame, 22-14, with 6:12 remaining in the half. The stretch was generated by a Fleming three-ball, Katelyn Konareski (Milford, Conn.) netted a free throw and a fast-break layup, followed by a Bogdanski trifecta. 

However, the Golden Bears later closed the second quarter on an 11-2 run of their own to take a 30-28 lead at the half.

The third quarter featured 10 lead changes and four ties including a 45-45 deadlock at the end of the frame.

In the final stanza, Endicott led 55-54 with two minutes to go.

With 1:14 remaining, Fleming knocked down a pair of freebies to extend the Gulls' lead to, 57-54. 

On the ensuing possession, WNE's Caitlyn Hunt (Wallingford, Conn.) hit two free throws to cut the deficit to 57-56. 

Eventually, Dempsey cashed six free throws in the final 19 seconds of the contest. 

The junior forward came up clutch on the defensive end with a steal to seal the victory for the Blue and Green. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Endicott leads the all-time series, 21–12.
• Dempsey has recorded 14 or more points in eight straight matchups.
• Endicott snapped WNE's seven-game win streak.
• The game saw 13 ties and 15 lead changes. 
• Endicott was plus-12 on the glass (46-34) including seven more offensive boards. 
• The Blue and Green defense held the Golden Bears to 4-15 (26.7%) from bonus distance. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (9-5, 5-2 CCC) hosts Roger Williams on Wednesday, January 17 at 5:30 PM. Western New England (11-4, 5-2 CCC) travels to Wenham to take on Gordon on Wednesday at 5:30 PM. 

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - Leanna Puccio '24)