Colonials Squeak Out Win Over AMCATS, 55-49

Paxton, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior Trafficia Warburton (Worcester, Mass.) notched a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds but the AMCATS fell to Western Connecticut State University 55-49 in non-conference women's basketball action on Tuesday evening at Fuller Center. With the win WCSU improves to 6-2 overall while Anna Maria dips to 3-5 on the 2014-15 campaign.

Freshman Kristina Russo (South Windsor, Conn.), starting in her first collegiate game, tallied nine points, two rebounds and an assist for AMC. Sophomore Christina Gauvin (Dudley, Mass.) pitched in with six points and Katie Pryor (Whitinsville, Mass.)  posted five points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists.

The Colonials, who had eight players tip the stat sheet, were led by Caroline Brasa's (East Hartford, Conn.) 12 points and four rebounds. Colleen Cosker (East Hartford, Conn.) and Emily Dobson (Westerley, RI) shared the team high with 6 rebounds each, while Cosker added 7 point and Dobson poured in six points.

Trailing 10-9 with just under 14 minutes to play in the first stanza the AMCATS would reel off eight straight points, including a pair of baskets from Warburton and single hoops from  Gauvin and Pryor, to build the largest lead of the half 17-10 with 11:05 to play.

The Colonials would chip away at the AMCAT advantage with a 9-2 run over the next five minutes to square the match at 19-19.  Western Connecticut's Nicole Mierzejewski (Meriden, Conn.) put back the rebound off a last second three-pointer from Brasea to give the Colonials a 23-21 advantage heading into intermission.

Warburton would open the second half with a pair of baskets sandwiched around a jumper by Emily Dobson to even the score at 25-25 just a minute into play. However, the Colonials would tighten down defensively to hold the AMCATS to just one basket and score eleven straight, over the next four minute span to break the game open at 36-27.

Anna Maria's Pryor would knock a decisive three with 1:13 to play to cut the deficit to 49-44 but Western Connecticut would convert free-throws down the end for the 55-49 final.

WCSU held the rebounding advantage 33-29, but both teams would cause 18 turnovers and post seven steals in the game.

Anna Maria returns to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Framingham State University at 1:00 p.m.

In the Play of the Game from Anna Maria's 55-49 loss to Western Connecticut, senior Trafficia Warburton demonstrates the value of passing, as she drives into the lane but then kicks it out to to freshman Kristina Russo, who drains a three-pointer!