Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sophomore Sarah Whitestone (Dalton, Mass.) scored a team-high 12 points for Nichols College, which dropped a 46-42 decision to Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) foe Western New England University Saturday afternoon at the AHLC Field House.

Senior Natalie Wilson (Bedford, N.H.) added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Bison (6-11, 3-8 CCC) while junior Devon Spirka (Wilmington, Vt.) and senior Hayley Zophin (Framingham, Mass.) each scored seven points. Nichols held the Golden Bears (10-8, 7-4 CCC) to just 30 percent shooting but was outrebounded 40-32.

Western New England co-captain Emily Savino paced her squad with 18 points, nine rebounds, two blocked shots and three steals.

Nichols burst out of the gate with some very hot shooting, making five of its first six field goal attempts, but was unable to match anything close to that mark for the rest of the game. The Bison shot 36 percent in the first half and an almost identical 36.4 percent in the second half to go along with 17 turnovers on the afternoon.

The Golden Bears grabbed their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Shelby Van Huysen that put WNE up 22-19 with 2:20 remaining in the half. Western New England did not relinquish that lead at any point for the remainder of the game. Despite shooting only 35.7 percent from the floor, the Golden Bears led 26-21 at the break due to 10 points off turnovers. Savino recorded 11 points, five rebounds and three steals in the opening half alone.

Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the second half. The Golden Bears left the door open for a Nichols comeback with some poor shooting (24.1 percent), but the Bison were doomed by turnovers and their inability to make baskets.

Western New England got strong play from forward Chelsea Vujs (nine points, eight rebounds) and guard Nicole Daly (seven rebounds, two assists).

The Bison return to action on Tuesday with a 5 p.m. contest at Eastern Nazarene. The Golden Bears host Salve Regina on Tuesday.

Contributions from Western New England sports information