WENHAM, Mass.—Eastern Connecticut State took home the Gordon College Classic title with a 79-51 win over the host Scots in the tournament finale on Saturday afternoon at the Bennett Center. The Warriors won both games in the classic after beating New England College to kick things off on Friday night.
The Warriors improve their standing to 3-0 on the season, while Gordon drops to 1-2 with its second straight loss.
Eastern Connecticut led nearly cover to cover, only dropping down by a point when Gordon's Brooke Dyson (Houston, Texas) hit a three to give the Scots a 3-2 lead after their first possession. The Warriors took the lead back on their next possession and never trailed again.
The Scots played their opponents tough in the first quarter tying the game three times, including at 10-10 when Alisha Henderson (Oregon City, Ore.) hit a nifty layup. ECSU scored the next seven points and took a 19-14 lead into the second quarter.
ECSU hit their stride in the second period, quickly extending its lead to double digits before the Fighting Scots could blink. It took Gordon nearly four minutes to put any points on the board in the period and the Warriors outscored the Scots 23-8 to take a 20-point advantage into the break.
The Warriors took firm control in the third quarter, leading by as many as 35 points en route to the big victory.
Kesley Santagata completed a double-double with 14 points and 14 boards. She also contributed three steals, three assists and two blocks. Jordyn Nappi (Southington, Conn.) provided much of the offense early and finished with a game-high 21. The Warriors received at least seven points from four other players, including a 10 and seven board effort from Mya Villard (Cromwell, Conn.).
ECSU shot 44 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Scots 51-33.
Dyson was the only Gordon player to reach double-figures with 11 points and a season-high 10 players scored a point in the game. Despite foul trouble, Meghan Foley (Malden, Mass.) finished with nine points, five rebounds and five assists.
Eastern Connecticut heads to Westfield State after the Thanksgiving break. Gordon hosts Salem State on Tuesday as the third game in a four-game home stand.
