Saints Cruise Past Dean in Regular-Season Finale, 67-28

FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Emmanuel College women's basketball team topped Dean College, 67-28, in the regular season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Pieri Gymnasium. 

Emmanuel improves to 22-1 overall and will be the top seed in the upcoming GNAC tournament with a perfect 16-0 record. Dean ends its season at 2-17 overall and 0-15 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).

Sophomore Olivia Matela's (Swampscott, Mass.) paced the Saints with 12 points off the bench. First-year AJ Godios (Hamburg, N.Y.) was 5-6 from the floor for 10 points in 16 minutes. Junior Angel Hunt (Newbury, Fla.) grabbed a game and career-high 10 rebounds. 

For Dean, first-year Tori Andrewski (North Sutton, N.H.) led the Bulldogs with eight points. Stephanie Conrad (Bedford, N.H.) finished with three points, an assist and a rebound. Sitaara Muhammad (Cambridge, Mass.) posted five points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The Saints took control early and outscored Dean 19-2 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs battled in the second quarter, scoring 11 points. Emmanuel added to its lead, however, by scoring 17 points in the frame to lead 36-13 after 20 minutes.

The visitors kept the up the pressure on both ends of the court in the second half en route to the 67-28 victory, marking their 18th straight win. The 28 points allowed were the fewest by an Emmanuel opponent all season. EC ended the year ranked as GNAC's best defensive unit which on averaged allowed 50.9 ppg in conference play during the campaign.

EC returns to action on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 PM in the GNAC Quarterfinal. The Saints will host the winner of the No. 9 Lasell vs. No. 8 Norwich contest which takes place on Tuesday evening in the Opening Round of the GNAC Women's Basketball Tournament. 

*Portions of the release courtesy of Dean College Athletic Communications