DUDLEY, Mass. - The Nichols College women's basketball team lost a hard-fought Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) battle to Endicott College on Tuesday night by the score of 73-70. With the loss, Nichols falls to 2-10 (1-6 CCC), while Endicott improves to 6-8 (4-3 CCC).
 
Despite falling behind 18-8 after the first quarter, the Bison came roaring back in the second, outscoring the Gulls 22-8 to take a 4-point halftime lead. Nichols drained four 3-pointers in the second quarter, while also holding Endicott at 26 points for the remaining 5 minutes of the first half.
 
The teams traded baskets for the majority of the third quarter. Nichols would extend their lead to 8 points before Endicott would go on a run to cut it within 2. The Bison would answer with two free throws before the end of the quarter to take a 53-49 lead into the final frame.
 
After back-and-forth action, including 7 lead changes, the Bison would find themselves in a tie game with just under a minute left to play. Two free throws by the Gulls with 55 seconds left gave them a 72-70 lead and that would prove to be enough as Nichols failed to convert on the offensive end from there on out.
 
The Bison placed relentless full-court pressure on Endicott all game, forcing 27 turnovers on the night. Kiera Fernandes, Abrianna Vazquez, and Leandra Ortiz all led the way for the Bison on the offensive end, contributing with 14 points each. Vazquez also added 5 assists and 4 steals.
 
The Bison are back in action on Saturday, January 14 when they take on Wentworth in another CCC matchup. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.