WORCESTER, Mass. (11/6/2026) - The Nichols College women's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign Friday evening, falling to Clark University, 64-44, on the opening day of the Worcester City Tournament at Harrington Auditorium, hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).
Nichols starts the new season at 0-1, while Clark jumps to 1-0 overall.
The Cougars jumped out to an 18-7 lead after the opening quarter before Nichols began to find its rhythm offensively in the second. The Bison put together a strong stretch midway through the period, using baskets from
Angelina Coletti and
Rylee Barrieault to cut the deficit to just eight points at 19-27, with just over four minutes remaining in the half. Barrieault led the way during the run, scoring six consecutive points, while Coletti added a pair of baskets and a free throw. Clark responded with a 9-4 stretch to close the half, preserving a comfortable 36-23 advantage at the break.
Nichols continued to battle in the third quarter, getting contributions from freshman
Nicole Parks, as well as Coletti and sophomore
Jaelize Rivera. However, Clark maintained its double-digit advantage and carried a 52-33 lead into the final period.
Nichols added 11 points in the final quarter, highlighted by Reynolds' three-pointer in the closing seconds. Barrieault and Parks also contributed baskets down the stretch, with Bassett recording the assist on Reynolds' late triple.
Barrieault paced Nichols with 11 points on the night, shooting 5-of-10 (50.0%) from the field, while Coletti added a stat line of nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals. Parks chipped in eight points and two steals, while
Emine Ulcay contributed seven points and a team-high six rebounds off the bench, with both players making their collegiate debut. As a unit, the Bison finished the evening 19-of-57 (33.3%) from the field, scoring 26 of their points in the paint.
Up next, women's basketball wraps up play in the Worcester City Tournament on Saturday, November 7
th against Worcester State University (0-1). Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
