NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team never trailed in a 79-59 win over New England College on Saturday afternoon as it closed out its regular season in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) road game.

All five starters scored in double figures as Caitlyn Scott (White Plains, N.Y.) led the way with 17 points to go with five assists and three steals. Jakara Murray-Leach (Norwalk, Conn.) picked up her 11th double-double of the season, with 12 points and 11 rebounds. 

Diamond White (Hamden, Conn.) scored 14 points with three steals, three rebounds and three assists, while Amanda Zdru (Stratford, Conn.) scored 12 points, and Elizabeth Bruno (Providence, R.I.), 10.

With the win, the Falcons clinched the third seed in the upcoming GNAC tournament, and will host No. 6 seed, Anna Maria on Tuesday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m.

THE BASICS

FINAL:  Albertus Magnus 79 | New England College 59

RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (16-9, 11-3 GNAC) | New England College (10-15, 4-10 GNAC)

BOX

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the two teams tied three times over the first three minutes, the Falcons went on a 13-1 run for over three minutes to take a 19-7 lead. White assisted on the first two baskets of the run as  Zdru and Murray-Leach scored back-to-back baskets. White buried a three to make it a 14-7 game and Zdru capped the run with a three of her own from the corner. The Falcons took a 23-11 lead into the second quarter as White and Scott each scored seven in the first 10 minutes.
• The Falcons took a 30-16 lead 4:31 into the second quarter as Hannah Barrientos (East Hampton, Conn.) hit a foul line jumper, then stole the ball on the other end, eventually leading to a layup from Isabella Fiorillo (West Haven, Conn.). Macy Gordon hit a three, followed by a layup from Camryn Lewis for NEC to cut the Albertus lead to 30-21, but Scott answered with a three to put Albertus back up by double digits. 
• Lewis made two free throws for NEC at the 3:00 mark of the second quarter to make it a 34-23 game. However, the Falcons closed out the half with a 12-2 run. White started the run with a three before Murray-Leach stole the ball on the ensuing possession and beat her defender to the basket on the other end to put Albertus up 39-23. Lewis scored the last basket in the half for NEC with 1:54 on the clock, and Scott found Zdru for a layup on the next possession, followed by a floater in the lane by Murray-Leach and a three from Scott with 13 seconds left for the 46-25 lead at the half.
• NEC scored the first four points of the second half. Albertus respoinded with an 11-2 run starting with a layup from Bruno followed by a steal from White that led to a three from Zdru. Scott followed with a layup and Murray-Leach also had one to make it a 57-31 game with 4:25 left. The Pilgrims fought back as five different players scored during an 11-4 run to make it a 61-42 game. Bruno would finish with the final six points for the Falcons as they took a 68-43 lead into the final quarter.
• Albertus took its biggest lead at 71-44 with 7:03 left in the game after a steal from Fiorollo led to a layup from Murray-Leach. A Mackenzie McDonald three sparked a 12-2 run for the Pilgrims as they closed the gap to 71-56 with 4:13 remaining. After an Albertus timeout, Sarah Evangelista (West Haven, Conn.) hit a three, followed by a layup from Barrientos as the Falcons were able to hold off NEC.

TEAM STATS

Albertus

41.8 FG% | 25.0 3PT% | 64.0 FT%

NEC

37.5 FG% | 18.8 3PT% | 56.0 FT%

LEADERS

Albertus

Caitlyn Scott 17 Points | 5 Assists | 3 Rebounds | 3 Steals

Jakara Murray-Leach 12 Points | 6-10 FG | 11 Rebounds  

Diamond White 14 Points | 3 Rebounds | 3 Assists | 3 Steals

Amanda Zdru 12 Points | 4-6 FG | 4 Rebounds

Elizabeth Bruno 10 Points | 5-10 FG | 4 Rebounds | 3 Assists

NEC

Camryn Lewis 14 Points | 5-8 FG | 10 Rebounds

Mackenzie McDonald 11 Points | 5-8 FG | 4 Rebounds

NOTEWORTHY

Albertus has now won four straight games against NEC and lead the all-time series, 5-3.