All-Time Series & Streaks
Today's contest marked the 27th all-time meeting between Nichols and Wentworth. With today's win, the Bison snapped a four-game losing streak to the Leopards and took a 14-13 lead in the series.
 
Three Stars of the Game
1) Nichols senior Jessica Kelliher (Marshfield, Mass.) – dished out a career-high eight assists to go along with nine points, six rebounds, and two steals
2) Nichols sophomore Allison Cerrato (Rockland, Mass.) – recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one assist
3) Wentworth sophomore Haley Sabino (Topsfield, Mass.) – led the Leopards with 13 points and also grabbed eight rebounds
 
Quick Synopsis
The Bison led 23-4 after one and outscored the Leopards 25-12 in the second half to earn a 52-35 win in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Saturday afternoon. Nichols held Wentworth to just 16 percent shooting (9-of-56) and held a 52-42 edge on the glass.
 
Key Stat of the Game
The Leopards missed all 16 of the field goal attempts in the first quarter and 18 overall before Sabino knocked down a jumper with 7:20 on the clock in the second quarter.
 
Turning Point
After seeing their 19-point first-quarter lead cut to four at halftime courtesy of a 19-4 second quarter run from Wentworth, the Bison outscored the visitors 25-12 in the second half to pull away and secure the win. Nichol led by 10 after three before outscoring WIT 10-3 in the fourth quarter.
 
Quick Hits
-Junior Brittany Donovan (Newport, R.I.) snared a career-high 13 rebounds for Nichols.
-Wentworth senior Carly Rogers (Scarborough, Maine) tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one block, and one assists.
-The Bison had a 12-0 advantage in fast break points and led for all but 27 seconds of the contest.
-Freshman Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio (Plainville, Conn.) scored a career-high 11 points in her first collegiate start. She also racked up three assists, two blocks, one steal and one rebound.
 
Quotes
"We came out of the gate very strong and played very well defensively. We didn't have the same intensity in the second quarter and we allowed them to get back into it. Our message at halftime was 'Defense! Defense! Defense!,' and we held them to 12 points in the second half. When we're ready and willing to play defense, we can play with anybody." – Nichols head coach Alice Mullen
 
"We've been working on assisting on our baskets, and today, we had assists on 80 percent of them. We've been hanging around six or seven assists a game, and that's not going to get it done. That's not team basketball. When we're sharing the ball and pushing the ball up the floor in transition, that's when we're going to be successful." – Mullen, on the team's ball movement
 
"We came out strong. We knew this would be a tough game that we had to win to quality for the playoffs. That's probably the best first quarter of basketball we've played since I've been here. We let up a little in the second, but then we pulled together at halftime and finished the game to earn the win. Things are gelling." – Nichols senior captain Jessica Kelliher

Next up
Nichols (3-14, 2-8 CCC) – Wednesday, January 27 @ Endicott, 5:30 p.m.
Wentworth (6-11, 2-8 CCC) – Wednesday, January 27 vs UNE, 5:30 p.m.