DUDLEY, Mass. (1/18/25) – In their first of two meetings this season, the Nichols College women's basketball team suffered an 87-71 defeat at the hands of CNE opponent University of New England Saturday afternoon at the Nichols Athletic Center.

With the loss, the Bison slide to 10-5 (3-5 CNE) overall.

The Bison landed three players in double figures, with Alyvia Smith and Adriana Romano each netting 16 points apiece with a combined seven rebounds. Abrianna Vazquez scored 11 points in the loss, alongside a team-best three steals. Kya Burdier tallied six rebounds, splitting it evenly between offensive and defensive, in addition to a pair of assists. Nichols finished the day shooting 27-of-72 (37.5%) from the field, which included 16 points off the bench.

After finding themselves trailing the Nor'easters 24-15 after one, the Bison went off on an 6-2 run to trim the guest lead to five at 26-21 with eight minutes to go in the second quarter. However, the storm seemingly got worse for Nichols from that point on as UNE quickly answered back with the next 10 points scored, extending their lead to 15 points at 36-21. Nichols was able to bring the difference back to single digits one more time thanks to consecutive Smith threes and a Tianna Fernandez layup, but seven of the final nine points fell in favor of UNE, resulting in a 45-33 visitor lead at halftime.
 
UNE seized control of the game in the third quarter by outscoring the Bison by a 24-14 margin, in-turn strengthening their lead to 22 points at 69-47 with one quarter remaining. UNE would see that lead reduced in the fourth quarter as Nichols battled back with 11 unanswered points midway through the frame to make it 74-64, moments before a Smith triple with 1:03 remaining made it a nine-point game, 80-71. However, that would be as close as it would get for the Bison, as the Nor'easters would take the win, 87-71 at the final buzzer.

Women's basketball remains at home for their next CNE matchup against Endicott College (10-5, 6-2 CNE) on Wednesday, January 22^nd. Game start is set for 5:00 PM inside the Nichols Athletic Center.