Women's Basketball Loses on the Road at Albertus

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Elms College Women's Basketball team traveled to Albertus Magnus College in a conference match up on Tuesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 52 | Albertus Magnus College 65
Records: Blazers 5-12, 1-3 (GNAC) | Falcons 2-15, 1-3 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms opened the first quarter with strong defensive energy and relentless effort on the glass, setting a physical tone early. The Blazers created multiple second-chance opportunities behind offensive rebounds from senior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) and sophomore forward/center Mary Turco (Winthrop, Mass.), refusing to let early missed shots slow them down. Uribe helped Elms get on the board by attacking the paint and converting at the free-throw line, while first forward Devynn Watford (Billerica, Mass.) and junior forward Tatiana Pereira (Providence, R.I.) contributed key defensive rebounds to limit extended possessions. After a quick timeout, Elms found momentum offensively, highlighted by a layup from first year guard Sanaii Diaz and (Worcester, Mass.) late-quarter hustle plays on both ends. Pereira anchored the defense with multiple blocks, and first year guard Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.) sparked energy with a steal that led to a basket. Uribe capped the quarter with a strong finish inside, cutting into the deficit as the Blazers closed the opening period with confidence and grit, trailing 13-9 but clearly finding their rhythm heading into the second quarter. Elms came out of the second quarter with urgency and energy, quickly cutting into the deficit behind strong ball movement and defensive rebounding. Turco opened the period with a smooth finish inside off a great assist from Glover, and moments later the Blazers tied the game when Diaz knocked down a jumper, again sparked by Turco's playmaking. Elms continued to battle on the glass, with Uribe and Turco creating extra possessions through offensive rebounds that kept pressure on the defense. Midway through the quarter, the Blazers found a rhythm from beyond the arc as sophomore guard Gabby Wasiewicz (Worcester, Mass.) delivered a huge spark, draining three three-pointers in the period to give Elms a much-needed offensive boost. Watford added a strong finish off of senior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) assist, while Pereira and the Blazers defense forced multiple turnovers to slow momentum. Despite a late score at the buzzer, Elms showed resilience and depth throughout the quarter, heading into halftime down 31–25 but carrying positive momentum fueled by rebounding, unselfish passing, and timely shooting.

Elms would come out of the halftime break locked in defensively and set the tone early in the third quarter with active hands and strong rebounding. Pereira and Uribe anchored the defensive end, securing key rebounds and limiting clean looks, while Diaz created pressure by jumping passing lanes and forcing turnovers. Uribe rewarded the effort with a strong offensive rebound and finish to get the Blazers going offensively. The Blazers steadily built momentum as Diaz knocked down a pair of midrange jumpers, and Wasiewicz continued her hot shooting, drilling a clutch three-pointer to pull Elms within one possession. Turco made her presence felt on both ends, recording blocks and rebounds while battling in the paint, and Uribe added another tough finish inside to keep Elms within striking distance. Down the stretch of the quarter, Elms stayed resilient, responding to every run with hustle plays and defensive stops. The Blazers' relentless effort on the glass and balanced scoring helped them remain right in the game, heading into the final quarter trailing just 40-36 with momentum and confidence on their side. Elms would open the fourth quarter with urgency and toughness, attacking the paint and battling for every possession as they looked to close the gap. Uribe got things rolling with a strong finish inside after securing the defensive rebound, while Turco continued to dominate the glass, earning multiple offensive rebounds that extended key possessions. Elms stayed aggressive defensively, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on mistakes to keep the pressure on. Midway through the quarter, the Blazers surged. Turco converted a pair of hard-earned baskets in the paint, and Diaz orchestrated the offense with timely assists and steals, including a key takeaway that led to a clutch three-pointer by Wasiewicz. Wasiewicz's three-point shot tied the game at 47-47, igniting momentum and energizing the Blazers' bench. Down the stretch, Elms continued to fight through contact and play with heart. Turco added another basket late, finishing the game strong inside, while Wasiewicz knocked down a final three in the closing seconds. Despite the final score, the Blazers' fourth-quarter effort showcased resilience, unselfish play, and relentless hustle, highlighted by rebounding dominance, ball movement, and the determination to compete until the final buzzer. Albertus would win the conference matchup 65-52. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Wasiewicz - 18 points.

• Turco - 11 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and an assist.

• Uribe - 11 points and nine rebounds.

• Diaz - eight points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

• Pereira - six rebounds, two blocks, a point, and an assist.

• Watford - three rebounds and two points.

• Graham - two rebounds and two assists.

• LeBel - a steal and an assist.

• Glover - a steal and an assist.

• Andrade - a point.

• Figueroa - an assist.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Women's Basketball team will be traveling to New London, N.H. to face off against Colby-Sawyer College in a conference match up on Saturday, January 24th, at 1 pm.

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