BABSON PARK, Mass. – In a battle of two of the traditional powers in New England, Babson College used a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter to hold off Eastern Connecticut State University, 67-60, in the season-opening women's basketball game for both teams Tuesday at Staake Gymnasium.
 
Both teams were coming off inactive 2020-21 seasons, Eastern playing its first game since losing in the second round of the NCAA tournament to Messiah University and Babson returning for its first official game since losing in its conference semifinals two years ago.
 
Senior guards Julie Keckler (Trumbull) and Jenna Serrantino (Cromwell) led Eastern in double figures with 23 and 15 points each. The Eastern bench was outscored, 21-10, with Babson first-year guard Abby Miller scoring 11 off the bench. First-year player Anika Chinthakunta and sophomore Kelly Walsh combined for 29 points for the Beavers. Junior Samantha Smith helped the hosts to a +12 advantage on the board by grabbing 18.
 
First-year player Taylor Salato (East Haven) had nine rebounds and six points with just one turnover in 27 minutes in her Eastern debut. Senior Aiyana Ward (Waterbury) had eight rebounds and senior Danielle O'Brien (Rockland, MA) five steals and three assists.

Eastern played the match without six-foot post player Anna Barry (Andover), the Little East Conference's Player-of-the-Year and Defensive Player-of-the-Year as a sophomore in 2019-20. Barry had not yet joined the team Tuesday after completing her volleyball season on Saturday.
 
The game was the first between the programs in 12 years, with Babson winning for the first time after three losses.
 
Eastern faces Stevens Tech Friday at 5 p.m. in the opening round of the Kean University Classic.