BEVERLY, Mass.—Endicott Women's Basketball used a long run in the middle of the game to pull away from Gordon 60-44. The Scots made a season-high 16 free throws, but could not overcome Endicott's inside game as the game wore on in the second half.
Endicott built up a quick 8-3 lead in the first quarter with the Gulls' height and low-post presence making a difference in the early going.
Sydney Pefanis (Cumming, Ga.) and
Brooke Dyson (Houston, Texas) temporarily changed momentum in Gordon's favor to close the gap to one point, but Endicott ended the quarter on a 5-2 run for a 13-9 advantage after one.
The three ball began to drop for the Gulls in the second quarter and Endicott was able to build up a nine-point lead before the Scots could blink. While the Gulls' defensive pressure stifled Gordon's field goal looks, the Fighting Scots were able to create fouls at the post. Gordon shot above its season average at the charity stripe in the first half and was able to chip away to get back within two possessions.
However, Endicott's Kelsey Cuddy (Madison, Conn.) and Catie Lipscomb (W. Springfield, Mass.) both drained triples to end the half, giving Endicott a 30-19 advantage at the break.
Second-chance opportunities made all the difference in the second half, as Endicott was able to consistently hit the offensive glass with a vengeance. The Gulls had nine offensive rebounds over the final 20 minutes, creating extra possessions to extend their lead. Gordon was never able to get the deficit back within single digits despite making a season-best 16 shots from the free-throw line.
Gordon (5-18, 1-15 CCC) has two chances remaining on the schedule to sneak back into the conference playoff picture. They play host to Nichols on Tuesday, who holds a one-game advantage over the Scots heading into Saturday's action. Endicott improves to 12-4 in the CCC and stays steady with Roger Williams for a second-place tie in the standings. The Gulls are 14-9 overall.
For the Foes- Three Gulls scored in double-digits with talented senior Cuddy leading the way at 14.
- Sarah Hood (Burlington, Mass.) filled up the box score for the Gulls with 13 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and a block. Hood had five of her 11 rebounds on the offensive end of the floor.
- Gabriella Coppola (Watertown, Mass.) finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and tied for the team high with four assists. Cuddy also had four.
For the Scots- Sophie Linnell (Richmond, Va.) led all players with 16 points and finished just a board shy of a double-double. Half of Linnell's points came from the free-throw line where the sophomore was 8-of-10.
- Kristen Smith (Littleton, Mass.) had nine points, including one of Gordon's two late threes.
Quick Stats- Gordon had its second-lowest turnover rate for the second consecutive game, only turning it over 15 times. The Gulls forced 21 Gordon turnovers in the first meeting in January.
- The Gulls notched their 17th straight win over the Scots and improved to 21-10 all-time against Gordon.
