Gordon College Women's Basketball returned to Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action this evening as they drove over to nearby Endicott College for a Conference contest against the Gulls at the Post Center. After the Fighting Scots held the lead going into the second half, Endicott flipped the script at the end of the third to take the edge, catalyzing a surge that eventually sealed the 67-57 win for the Gulls

Leading the Scots for the fourth game in a row was Madison Wynbeek who earned a team-high 14 points while matching her points with 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, underclassmen Isabella Rivera and Naomi Nicholson were not far behind Wynbeek with 12 points each.

For the Gulls, Tara Laugeni booked a game-high 19 points followed by Emily St. Thomas who contributed 14 points in the win. 

How It Happened

• The Fighting Scots came out hot, immediately earning a commanding double-digit lead just over three minutes into the rivalry match up (12-2) moments before back-to-back baskets from the Rivera sisters gave the Scots a massive 14-point margin with 4:07 left on the clock in the first quarter (18-4). However, in the remaining minutes, the Gulls were able to shrink their deficit to four, heading into the second frame, 15-19.
• After almost two minutes of back and forth action, Wynbeek was the first to tack on to the Scots' advantage with a layup in the paint before Brynn Barnhard followed her up with one herself to come within one basket of regaining the double-digit lead (23-15) at the 6:17 mark. The Fighting Scots continued to dominate, holding on to their sizable lead as the Scots went off including a three from Nicholson to top-off their 12-point lead (34-22) with 1:04 left in the half. Before ending the second quarter, the Gulls were able to chip away, capitalizing on a few free throw opportunities to enter the break, 26-34. 
• Endicott quickly closed the gap in the beginning of the third quarter, coming within four points (30-34) just over two minutes into the break. However, a pair of successful free throw from Ami Rivera followed by one from behind the arc from Nicholson allowed the Fighting Scots to retrieve a more significant lead (39-32). But it wasn't long before the Gulls turned the tables to knot it up at 39-all before grabbing their first lead of the game, 40-39 with 2:03 remaining, eventually ending the third quarter with a two-point edge, 45-43. 
• In the final frame, Wynbeek quickly tied it up 45-45 with a layup at the 9:30 mark before the squads traded the one-point advantage until the Gulls rallied with three straight baskets to take a seven-point edge with four minutes on the clock. The Scots attempted to cut the deficit however it wasn't enough as Endicott took the eventual 67-57 win. 

Beyond The Box Score

• Madison Wynbeek has led the Scots in points in the past four games including all three CCC games so far this season. Additionally, the senior earned her fifth double-double against the Conference rivals tonight. 
• The Fighting Scots return to the court on Thursday, January 5 as they host CCC opponent Wentworth at 5:30 p.m. on Kanas Court.