NORTON, Mass. – Junior Leandra Ortiz poured in a game-high 18 points in Nichols College's 75-69 win over Wheaton (MA) College Sunday afternoon in non-conference action at the Wheaton (MA) Tip-Off Tournament at Emerson Gymnasium.

Sophomore Abrianna Vazquez added 18 points, seven steals, and five boards in 30 minutes of action as the Bison (1-1) picked up their first win of the season. Sophomore Summer Klein was the third NC student-athlete in double figures in points, filling the stat sheet with 11 points, four rebounds, four steals, and two dimes.

After shooting just 23 percent from the field in yesterday's loss to Maine Maritime, the Bison connected on 28 of their 73 shots from the field (38 percent) and won despite being outrebounded 50-46. Nichols also turned 28 Lyons turnovers into 29 points.

The Bison outscored the Lyons 22-12 in the third quarter to run a 36-35 halftime deficit into a 57-48 lead. Senior Jillian Spillane converted a layup with 6:08 on the clock in the third to give the Bison a 43-42 lead they would not relinquish. A triple from junior Toni Geisel and a pair of layups by Vazquez stretched the lead to nine after three.