Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Sophomore Anna Barry (Andover, Conn.) notched a double-double effort of 19 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to lead Eastern Connecticut to a 76-63 Little East Conference women's basketball victory over UMass Dartmouth Wednesday evening at the Tripp Athletic Center.
The host Warriors (17-3, 10-1 LEC) turned a one-point first quarter edge (10-9) into a 14-point lead (25-11) after sophomore Julie Keckler's (Trumbull, Conn.) three-pointer capped a 15-2 run 3:07 into the second stanza. The host Corsairs (11-9, 6-5 LEC) used a 15-3 run of their own over the final 2:26 of the half to close its deficit to a point (34-33) on junior Lauren Empey's (Middleboro, Mass.) jumper at the buzzer, and UMass Dartmouth took its lone lead of the night (37-36) on senior Kayla McMahon's (Hanover, Mass.) jumper 1:34 after intermission.
Eastern Connecticut responded with a deciding 14-4 run over the next 2:15 to take a nine-point advantage (50-41) on sophomore Danielle O'Brien's (Rockland, Mass.) three-pointer, as the Warriors built a 14-point cushion (58-44) heading into the finale frame. The hosts sliced that margin to eight on sophomore Jordan Moretti's (Johnston, R.I.) three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, but free throws by Barry, Keckler and senior Lizzy Cretella (Cheshire, Conn.) in the final 90 seconds iced the visitors' triumph that extended their winning streak to five straight.
Senior Mya Villard (Cromwell, Conn.) added a double-double performance of 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the win for Eastern Connecticut, which received 15 points and five assists from Keckler along with 11 points and four assists from Cretella. O'Brien chipped in with nine points for the Warriors, who shot 49 percent from the field and recorded 23 assists on 25 made field goals. The visitors connected for nine three-pointers (four by Keckler) and held a 17-12 scoring edge at the foul line.
Moretti collected 17 points and eight rebounds in the setback for UMass Dartmouth, which received 14 points, five assists, five boards and three steals from senior Ashley Brown (New Bedford, Mass.). Sophomore Jessica Carroll (Deep River, Conn.) added nine points for the Corsairs, who received seven points and five caroms from junior Meagan Donovan (Abington, Mass.) along with seven points and three assists form McMahon. The hosts shot 35 percent (23-66) from the floor and held a 39-35 rebounding advantage on the evening, including 20 offensive boards that were converted into 20 second chance points.
UMass Dartmouth travels to Plymouth, N.H. on Saturday afternoon for a Little East Conference clash with Plymouth State that tips-off at 1:00 pm, while Eastern Connecticut hosts Southern Maine in a Little East matchup on Saturday afternoon in Willimantic, Conn. that also tips-off at 1:00 pm.
(Photo Credit: Bridget Bagana '22)
