NEW LONDON, N.H.  – The Colby-Sawyer women's basketball team started 2024 with a home victory defeating Wellesley College by a 51-46 final on Tuesday. 

Rapid Recap:

• The Chargers started off the game fast with a three-pointer by sophomore Elyza Mitchell (Spofford, N.H.) followed by a layup by junior Marissa Holt (Alfred, Maine) to lead 5-0. After a bucket by Trinity Barrow, Mitchell poured in her second trifecta of the day to kick start another 5-0 run. The Blue closed out the quarter with four-straight to trail 10-6. 
• Sophomore Makenna Grillone (Walpole, N.H.) started the second quarter with a jumper from junior Natalie Panagrosso (Wallingford, Conn.). The Blue countered with six-straight to knot the game back at 12-12, but junior Gabby Lucertini (Branford, Conn.) drilled a three to put the home team back up three. Holt and junior Courtney Brewster (Castleton, Vt.) added buckets to extend the lead to 19-12, but Wellesley countered with a 6-2 closing run to trail by three headed into halftime. 
• The Blue added the first three points of the second half, but a triple by graduate student Lia Raynowska (Brentwood, N.H.) kept Colby-Sawyer in front. The teams traded baskets with the home team leading 29-25 with 3:38 to play in the third quarter. Raynowska came through with eight points part of a 10-4 run to extend the Charger lead to 39-29 headed into the final frame. 
• The Blue started off the fourth fast with a 8-1 run over the six minutes of the fourth quarter, but a key step-back three by Holt kept CSC up by a 43-37 margin. Another 5-0 run by Grillone pushed the Chargers back up by seven, but five-straight by the Blue kept the game separated by a single bucket with 40 seconds to play. Mitchell came through in the clutch with a huge and-one to close the game for the Chargers at 51-46. 

Post Game Press:
"It felt great to come into the new year and get a win under our belt", said graduate student Lia Raynowska (Brentwood, N.H.). Today was a big step for us to play five as one and get after it on the glass, we're excited for some big competition Thursday and to get in the win column in conference play Saturday!

Inside the Numbers:

• Raynowska led the Chargers with 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3PT) to go with three rebounds, two steals and a block. Mitchell tallied 11 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Brewster added 11 points (2-5 FG, 7-10 FT) and six rebounds.
• Trinity Barrow paced the Blue with 16 points (7-16 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and six assists. 
• Colby-Sawyer used a 9-1 three-pointers made advantage in the win, while also having a 11-6 second chance points margin. 

Up Next: 
Colby-Sawyer will travel to New London, Conn. to take on the United State Coast Guard Academy on Thursday with a 1:00 PM start.

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