Women Lose Conference Opener to Sharks

PAXTON, Mass – Saturday marked the start of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference portion of the Women's basketball schedule with Simmons College traveling to Paxton to take on the AMCATS. While AMC had their chances throughout the game they were not able to hold off the winless Sharks in the 70-52 loss at the Fuller Activities Center.

For Anna Maria, senior guard Kristina Russo (South Windsor, Conn) led all AMCAT scorers with 14 points on the day. Junior forward Katherine Loney (West Roxbury, Mass) scored 10 of her own off the bench and also grabbed five boards in her 25 minutes on the court. The scoring was spread around nicely for AMC as starters, sophomore forward Hailey Moore (Worcester, Mass) and junior center Shannon Hoffmiller (Oxford, Conn) each added eight points for the home team. It was also a good day for freshman guard Franny Hammond (Worcester, Mass). While Hammond only scored four point she played very unselfishly recording nine assists on the afternoon.

For the Sharks, senior forward Presely Silva (Wilmington, Mass) less all scorers with 20 points while also grabbing nine boards for her team. Silva shot nine-for-14 from the field. Junior forward Molly Philips (Cranston, R.I.) and freshman guard Jalissa Rodriguez (Waterbury, Conn) each scored 12 for the visitors. Scoring 11 on the afternoon for Simmons was junior point guard Rebekah Carrol (Londonderry, N.H.).

Being the conference opener for both teams it was expected for them to come out hot. However, Simmons was able to jump out to an early lead outscoring AMC 10-5 in the first five minutes of the first quarter. Though the baskets began to fall for Anna Maria the first quarter finished with the Sharks leading by six. After the short timeout the 'Cats came out looking to quickly get back in to the game. Hoffmiller and Russo were each able to grab six in the quarter to get the home team back in the game. With Simmons getting in to foul trouble with three minutes left in the half the AMCATS were able cut the deficit to five, shooting six-for six from the line, going in the break, 36-31.

Half time seemed to allow Simmons to regain their composure with Phillips knocking down a couple of threes and the defense picking up any slack. AMC scored 15 in the third period but the shots were not falling for the home team, though Loney was able to grab eight of her 10 in the thirs, as they went to the fourth trailing 56-46. The deficit grew in the fourth as the Shark defense only allows the 'Cats to score six points while putting up 14 of their own ultimately leaving Paxton with the 70-52 win.

Next up for Anna Maria will be a non-conference matchup against Framingham State on Thursday night at 6PM.

For a full look at Saturday's box score Click Here.