Box Score
DUDLEY, Mass.- The Nichols College women's basketball team (20-6) earned a 60-50 victory over Regis (18-8) in The Commonwealth Coast Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday, advancing on to Thursday's semifinals at Western New England College. The Bison hit a total of 11 threes on the night, including five from sophomore Lyndsey Bennett (North Brookfield, Mass.). Sophomore Curtia Humbert (Bridgeport, Conn.) posted a game-high 16 points for Nichols while Bennett added 15. Sophomore Margaret Lilly (Ashfield, Mass.) registered her sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the first half as the Bison shot just 25.8 percent (8-31). Nichols' defense forced Regis into several tough shots throughout the half as they shot a dismal 15.4 percent (4-26).
A rare three by Lilly with 11:24 left in the half gave Nichols a seven point lead but Regis countered with an 8-0 drive over the next five minutes to take its first lead since early in the game, 15-14, with 6:17 left until halftime. The Pride scored six of their eight points off second chances.
Nichols ended the half making three of six attempts from downtown to head into the half with a five point lead, 22-17. Humbert led all scorers with nine while Bennett made two of three attempts from three point land for six key points off the bench. Freshman Tashi Hamilton (Somerville, Mass.) led the Pride with six points.
The Bison scored the first two baskets of the second half, both off lay-ups, to grab a nine point lead, 26-17. Regis clawed its way back with a 9-2 run that made it a one-point game in favor of Nichols, 30-29, with 12:31 left. A lay-up by sophomore Jessica Page (Quincy, Mass.) gave Regis its first lead of the second half with 10:16 showing on the clock.
With a raucous crowd behind them, the Bison went on the attack, scoring three straight threes to take an eight point lead, 41-33, with 8:13 left. Nichols long-range barrage continued as it hit three more heading into the final stretch of the game. Bennett's fifth triple of the game gave the Bison their largest lead, 54-39, with 3:39 on the clock.
Nichols struggled at the line in the final minutes, allowing Regis to get to within seven with 33 seconds left but Lilly's strong work on the glass gave the Bison the second chances it needed. Lilly made three of four attempts in the final 30 seconds to help secure the win.
Junior TCCC Defensive Player of the Year MaryLynn Skarzenski (Woodbridge, N.J.) finished with eight points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Freshman Ashley Robidoux (Milford, Mass.) chipped in with six points off a pair of threes along with three assists.
Junior Laura Sears (Billerica, Mass.) led Regis with 13 points while Hamilton added ten. Page fell just shy of a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Sarah McNult (Hampstead, N.H.) hauled in a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with seven points as well.
Western New England College defeated the University of New England 77-52 in its quarterfinal game, setting up Thursday's semifinal match at 7 p.m. in Springfield.
