New Haven, Conn. – Junior forward Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) poured in 16 points to become the 12th player in Albertus Magnus College women's basketball program history to record 1,000 career points as the Falcons fell at home to in-state foe Western Connecticut, 74-67, in non-conference action on Tuesday evening at The Nest inside the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center.
The Falcons (3-3) dropped their first home game of the season, while the Colonials (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak.
Trailing by seven points with 5:51 remaining, the visitors ended the contest on a 20-6 run to take the first meeting between the two squads since 2005. In the fourth quarter, WCSU shot 50 percent from the field (7-of-14) and knocked down 7-of-8 from the free throw, while holding Albertus Magnus to just 38 percent shooting (10-of-26).
Three-point shooting was a factor in the fourth quarter and the entire game. The Falcons connected on just 1-of-7 from deep during the final 10 minutes, while the guests hit three from three-point range. On the game, Western converted 14 shots from beyond the arc and AMC hit just 3-of-12 attempts.
A large momentum shift came at the end of the third quarter for the visitors as senior guard Emily Dobson beat the buzzer with a deep three-pointer to give the Colonials a four-point edge at 50-46 heading into the fourth.
It was a balanced offensive attack for the hosts as four of their five starters scored in double figures. Bolden and sophomore guard Jill Johnson (North Haven, Conn.) each poured in a team-high 16 points. With 3:23 left in the second quarter, Bolden connected on a long two-point jumper for her 1,000th career point. Guards Liz Falcigno (Wallingford, Conn.) and Deja Ward (Middletown, Conn.) both added 14 points apiece for the Falcons. Falcigno continues her strong play on the boards, pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds for her third straight double-double.
The Colonials had a two-headed attack as the backcourt tandem of junor Kaitlyn LaBonte and sophomore Jancy Sherwood combined for 42 points and 12 three-pointers. LaBonte had a game-high 22 points to go along with two assists and six boards, while Sherwood netted 20 and chipped in thre boards and two dimes. Dobson was the other WCSU player in double figures with 11 points.
Albertus Magnus returns to action on Thursday, December 1, with a home Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) showdown against in-state rival St. Joseph (Conn.) that is slated to begin at 5:00 pm. Last season, the Falcons raced past the Bluejays at home.
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