WATERVILLE, Maine – The Colby-Sawyer women's basketball team hit the floor for the first time in 2023-24 falling to Thomas College in the season opener by a 56-52 final.

Rapid Recap:

• The Chargers got on the board first as junior Gabby Lucertini (Branford, Conn.) finished a layup. The Terriers countered with a 10-1 run halted by a tough finish by junior Natalie Panagrosso (Wallingford, Conn.). Thomas answered again with another 6-1 run to end the quarter up 16-5. 
• In the second quarter the Chargers woke back up starting with 7-0 run capped off by a three for Lucertini to trim the lead to 16-11. The lead was at eight after an Emily Parent layup, but another 7-0 flurry for Colby-Sawyer highlighted by five points for first year Catherine Chick (Glen, N.H.). Graduate student Lia Raynowska (Brentwood, N.H.) evened the score with a triple and as time expired Chick finished another layup to give the visitors a 25-23 lead into the break. 
• After two quick buckets by the Terriers the Chargers tied things up again as sophomore Elyza Mitchell (Spofford, N.H.) finished her first bucket of 2023-24. The teams traded buckets with Thomas holding a five-point lead with 1:38 to play in the third quarter. Junior Megan Molettieri (Pelham, N.H.) netted two free throws to get the game back to 37-34 headed to the fourth quarter. 
• Four free throws started by junior Marissa Holt (Alfred, Maine) and finished by Chick gave Colby-Sawyer an early fourth quarter lead. Lucertini nailed a triple to give the Chargers a 41-39 lead, but the Terriers went on a 6-0 run capped by a huge three by Samantha Fortin to keep Thomas in front. A  Holt driving layup cut the deficit to a single point and after Mitchell hit her free throw the Chargers and Terriers were even with 4:27 to play. Yaribel Pena knocked down a key three for the home team off a steal and after a Chick layup, Hannah Coolen drilled another from deep to advance the Terrier lead to 54-49. Lucertini came in clutch with a three, but two free throws by Parent put the game out of reach as the Terriers held home court in the 56-52 win. 

Post Game Press:
"We struggled with turnovers tonight in key moments and we were never really able to go on a run to get a real lead and get some separation", said head coach Tim Viola. "Hats off to Thomas -  they were tough and physical and made plays when they needed to. It's a learning opportunity for us and especially me."

Inside the Numbers:

• Chick had an excellent debut for Colby-Sawyer with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-6 FT) to go with 20 rebounds and a pair of steals. Lucertini tallied 13 points (4-11 FG, 3-7 3-FG, 2-2 FT) to go with four rebounds and two assists, while Brewster added seven points (1-6 FG, 5-8 FT) to go with nine boards. 
• Coolen paced the Terriers with 14 points (4-11 FG, 2-5 3-FG, 4-6 FT), while Sky Kubwalo added 12 points (5-14 FG, 0-1 3-FG, 2-3 FT) and 10 rebounds. 
• Thomas won the turnover battle forcing 38 Charger turnovers with 14 steals and 26 points off turnovers, while Colby-Sawyer forced 27 turnovers with seven steals and 12 points off turnovers. 

Up Next: 
The Chargers will travel to Boston to take on Emerson on Saturday with a 1:00 PM start.   

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