DANBURY, CT (Feb. 13) - A strong second half lifted Western
Conn. State University to a 53-44 Little East Conference
women's basketball vicotry over Keene State College at the
Feldman Arena on Saturday.
The Owls had a tough day shooting, hitting just 12 of its 48
attempts from the field (25%) and two of its 16 shots(12.5%) from
behind the arc.
Freshman Taylor Nkonoki (Middletown, CT) scored nine points off
the bench to spark a second-half comeback as the Colonials (19-4,
10-2 LEC) remained in first place in the Little East Conference.
With the loss, Keene State (14-8, 6-6 LEC) is tied for fourth in
the LEC standings with two conference games to be played.
Sophomore forward Courtney Cirillo (Windsor Locks,
CT) was the only KSC player to reach double figures,
leading her team with 14 points. Senior forward Nicole
Simmler (Oxford, MA) added nine points and had seven
rebounds for the Owls.
Scoring in double figures for the Colonials were junior Melissa
Teel (Hamden, CT), with a game-high 16 points, and
junior Karli Spera (Waterford, CT) with 10.
Teel, who last Saturday set a new school record for rebounds in
a season, also pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, and recorded
six blocks.
In the first half, WestConn built a six-point advantage, 15-9
following a jumper by Stephanie Slonski (Griswold, CT) with 10:27
remaining before the break.
The Owls chipped away and went into the locker room with a 22-21
lead.
The second half was a different story.
Teel knotted the game, 26-26, on a follow-up lay up, with 16:59
remaining. It would be the last time the visitors would be within
three point the rest of the way.
Senior captain Katie Moffo (Southington, CT) followed with a
three pointer from the corner 30 seconds later, for a 29-26 lead,
and the Colonials dominated defensive the rest of the way. They
allowed just 18 points over the final 16:29.
WestConn holds a one-game lead over Eastern Connecticut, who
narrowly defeated UMass Dartmouth, 66-63 in overtime on Saturday.
Keene State hosts rival Plymouth State on Tuesday.
