Box Score
Hosting their annual season-opening tournament in Gordon’s Bennett Athletic Center tonight, the Fighting Scots handed the Nighthawks of Newbury College their first loss, 56-45, behind a 24-point performance from junior forward Lauren Kranyak (Locust Grove, Va.).
 
After trading leads in the opening six minutes, Gordon went on a 14-4 run in which five different Scots contributed points to take a 22-10 lead with eight minutes remaining in the half. Sensing the urgency, Newbury worked to stay in the game by narrowing the gap slightly, but the Scots would go into the locker room in control of the half, 29-19.
 
Following four quick Nighthawk points to open the half, Kranyak and sophomore forward Brooke Kratche (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) combined for 13 points to extend Gordon’s lead to 42-27, giving the Scots their largest advantage of the game with eight minutes on the clock.
 
Unwilling to cede defeat, Newbury’s Catherine O’Connell (Sr./Quincy, Mass.) and Katie Haney (Jr./Winchendon, Mass.) took control, scoring the Nighthawks' next 14 points while holding the Scots to seven, putting them within striking distance (49-41) with just over three minutes remaining.
 
Determined to open the 2012-2013 campaign with a win, though, the Scots buckled down on defense and converted from the line down the stretch to preserve the 11-point win and move to 1-0 on the season.

Kranyak lead Gordon’s effort with five steals and a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double. Kratche and guard Skylar Bareford (Jr./Stonington, Conn.) chipped in nine points apiece with Kratche adding seven boards and five steals and Bareford contributing five assists. Junior guard Clancey Adams (Simsbury, Conn.) also had a big night, grabbing nine rebounds while tallying six points in the evening’s win.
 
Despite the loss, the night was highlighted for the Nighthawks by O’Connell hitting a buzzer-beating three at the game's close to become the first player in Newbury history to register 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She finished the night with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and four steals, while Haney added 14 points and three boards. The loss drops Newbury to 0-1 overall.
 
Tournament action continues tomorrow as Newbury takes on Anna Maria College in the consolation game at 1 p.m. and the Scots face the Pilgrims of New England College at 3 p.m.