Camels Net Basketball Victory Against ECSU

Connecticut College's women's basketball team started the new year right on Monday, chalking up a victory against Eastern Connecticut State University. The following information was provided by William Tomasian, sports information director at Connecticut College:

Tara Gabelman (Irivington, N.Y.) poured in 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the Connecticut College women's basketball team to a 57-47 victory against Eastern Connecticut State University in a non-conference game played at Luce Field House Monday night.

Gabelman had 16 points and nine rebounds in the second stanza en route to her sixth double-double of the season.

The Camels improve their record to 9-1 with their sixth straight win, while the Warriors fall to 4-5 with the setback.

Jenn Shinall (Redding, Conn.) chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds for the hosts. Caitlin Cimino (Falmouth, Maine) added nine points and three rebounds for the winning side.

Eastern Connecticut State was led by first year forward Shannon McCourt (New Fairfield, Conn.), who registered a double-double of her own with a game-high 21 points and 11 boards.

Taylor McBride (Willimantic, Conn.) finished with 10 points and four rebounds for the Warriors.

In the second half, Gabelman dominated the low post, as Connecticut College held 48-to-29 advantage on the backboards in the contest.

With 8:55 remaining, Gabelman knocked down a jumper to propel the Camels to their largest lead of the night at 49-31.

But the Warriors would not go away and the visitors frustrated the Camels with a full court press to key a 12-to-1 run. McCourt buried a turnaround jumper with 2:36 remaining that trimmed the deficit to 52-45.

But Kim Horne (Newport, N.H.) answered with a jumper on the ensuing possession and Gabelman converted a pair of free throws to put the game out of reach.

The hosts were able to hold on for the 57-47 win.

Samantha Riccio (Avon, Conn.) put the visitors on top 8-5 in the early going with a hoop at the 12:57 mark of the first half.

But the Camels answered after Shinall dropped in trey with 11:07 remaining to grab hold of a 10-8 lead. Later on with 6:11 to go, Shinall banked in a runner to vault the Camels out to an 18-13 advantage.

The resilient Warriors responded though and were able to knot things up at 19 aside when McBride put in a runner with 3:54 to go.

However, the Camels ended the half with a 10-to-0 run. Cimino buried back-to-back triples to cap the rally and the Camels carried a 29-19 advantage into the break.

The Camels will open NESCAC play this Friday night with a 6:00 p.m. game at Trinity College. The Warriors will visit SUNY New-Paltz this Wednesday for a 6:00 p.m. game in the Empire State.