Nov. 17, 2007

Box Score (Babson vs. UNE) | Box Score (WNEC vs. Williams)

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Senior Caitlin Fenn (Niantic, Conn.) scored 15 points and senior Linsey Poulson (Leominster, Mass.) added 13 points and 13 rebounds as the Babson College women's basketball team opened its season with a 64-49 victory over the University of New England in the semifinals of the 2007 Babson Invitational Tournament presented by Irving Oil on Saturday night. With the win, the Beavers (1-0) advance to Sunday's championship game at 3 p.m, while the Nor'easters (0-1) will play in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

Babson took a 36-24 lead into the locker room, thanks to 11 first-half points from Fenn and 10 more from Poulson. UNE would get to within seven on a three-pointer by junior Alli Gamache (Dudley, Mass.) just over two minutes into the second half, but Babson rattled off eight straight points to push its advantage to 15 at 46-31. The Beavers would lead by as many as 21 with 10 minutes remaining as they coasted to the eventual 13-point victory.
 
First-year Becky Bowman (Melrose, Mass.) joined Fenn and Poulson in double figures for Babson, as she finished with 10 points in her first collegiate game. Sophomore Vanessa Lovering (Hollis, N.H.) contributed nine rebounds and four blocked shots for Babson, while first-year Amanda Grammel (Leominster, Mass.) added six points, seven boards, six assists, and three steals in her collegiate debut.

Sophomore Katie Diggins (Merrimack, N.H.) led UNE with 11 points and six rebounds, while first-year Kylie Bragdon (Winter Harbor, Maine) seven points and 14 rebounds. Gamache chipped in with nine points and four assists, and first-year Carie Bunnell (Barnet, Vt.) added 10 points.

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WNEC Downs Williams, 73-64, To Advance To BIT/Irving Oil Finals

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Senior Jen Dabrowski (Plainville, Conn.) led all players with 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Western New England College women's basketball team defeated Williams College, 73-64, in the semifinals of the 2007 Babson Invitational Tournament presented by Irving Oil on Saturday night. With the victory, the Golden Bears (1-0) advance to Sunday's championship game against the host Beavers at 3 p.m, while Williams (0-1) will play the University of New England in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

After outscoring Williams, 38-32, in a back-and-forth first half that featured a total of 12 lead changes, WNEC never relinquished the advantage in the second half thanks to 16 points from Dabrowski. The senior guard shot only 4-for-12 from the field in the final stanza but connected on 8 of 10 from the stripe. Junior Dina Federico (Springfield., Mass.) added all 10 of her points in the second half, including five straight during a key 8-0 run that turned a slim 46-45 lead into a 54-45 cushion with 12:15 remaining. The Ephs eventually got back to within five on a three-pointer by first-year Chessie Jackson (Goleta, Calif.) with 3:34 left, but Dabrowski hit five big free throws in the closing minutes as WNEC held on for the victory.

In addition to Dabrowski's game-high 22, WNEC also received 16 points from first-year Taryn Belowsky (Plainville, Conn.) and 10 apiece from Federico and senior Tiffany DeRosa (Hamden, Conn.). Belowsky also amassed nine rebounds and four steals, while DeRosa added a team-best four assists.

Williams was paced by Jackson's 17 points and eight rebounds, while senior Niki Savageau (Framingham, Mass.) contributed 14 points, five boards, six assists, and three steals.