EZELL POSTS NEW CAREER-HIGH IN WOMEN'S HOOPS 79-76 WIN OVER ALBERTUS MAGNUS

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior forward Alexis Ezell (Acworth, Ga.) poured in a career-high 23 points to lead the Emmanuel College women's basketball team past Albertus Magnus College, 79-76, Thursday evening at The Nest. The Saints improve to 13-6 on the year and 9-1 in GNAC play while the loss moves the Falcons to 11-8 and 6-4 in the GNAC.

In a high-scoring affair, the Saints saw four players in double-figures while the host Falcons had all five starters post 10 or more points. In the end, the Saints 54.4 shooting percentage outmatched the hosts 40.6% from the floor to help EC grab its seventh consecutive GNAC victory.

The first quarter set the tone for the night's action as the Saints jumped out to a 10-4 lead following a jumper by sophomore Christine Miller (Manchester, Maine). Albertus Magnus responded with an 11-4 spurt to take the lead at 15-14 after a layup by junior forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) and after the first stanza the score was deadlocked at 16-16.

EC scored back-to-back hoops to open the second quarter and never trailed in the frame despite the Falcons tying the score three times during the action. Emmanuel led by as many as six during the half but Albertus cut the lead to one going into the break trailing 41-40 at halftime.

The visitors appeared to have the game in hand when senior forward Jen Chalk (Horseheads, N.Y.) connected on a pair of free throws with 3:15 to play in the third made it 59-50 but over the final three minutes in the quarter the Falcons cut the lead down to a basket and only trailed 63-61 heading into the final quarter.

Bolden connected with a big hoop for the hosts to open the fourth and tie the score at 63-all. The game saw ties at 65-65 and 67-67 before EC freshman guard Kayla Weaver (West Haven, Conn.) gave Emmanuel the lead for good with 7:11 left to play with a layup to bump the Saints lead to 69-67. Later in the action, Weaver connected on a clutch free throw with 23 seconds remaining to make it a two-possession game at 78-74 and it was enough to help the Saints hold on for the 79-76 win.

Bolden led all scorers with 25 points and 14 rebounds while senior guard Liz Falcigno (Wallingford, Conn.) also posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Junior Kiki Epps (Norwalk, Conn.) added 12 points while junior Angelina Piccirillo (Naugatuck, Conn.) and sophomore Jill Johnson (North Haven, Conn.) posted 10 points each.

Along with Ezell, the Saints in double-figures included a season-high of 13 points from Weaver off the bench, 12 points from senior guard Oliva Marks (Canterbury, Conn.) and 10 points from Miller.

The Saints return to action on Saturday, January 28 when they head across the street for a battle of the Fenway against Simmons College at 3:00 PM. The Falcons host Johnson & Wales University the same day at 1:00 PM.