Box Score
BOSTON, Mass. —  Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball secured a hard-fought Little East road victory over the University of Massachusetts Boston, 60-54, Saturday afternoon at the Clark Athletic Center, ending a three-game losing streak, handing the Beacons their third straight loss and avoiding being swept by UMB for the first time in eight years. Eastern is now 13-2 vs. the Beacons in the last 15 games, which includes a 12-game winning streak  which ended when UMB won two straight vs. Eastern heading into Saturday's game.

Highlighted by a fourth-quarter comeback, the Warriors surged behind Katelyn Novak (Colchester) and Liv Cassesse (Wallingford), as the duo combined for 12 crucial points over the final minutes to secure the win. 

The win improves Eastern to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in LEC play, while UMass Boston falls to 11-9 and 5-6 in the league, a half-game back of fourth-place Eastern.

Game Information:

• Score: Eastern Connecticut State University 60, University of Massachusetts Boston 54
• Records: Eastern (8-11) (LEC 5-5), Massachusetts Boston  (11-9) (LEC 5-6)
• Location: Boston, Mass. | (Clark Athletic Center) 

Key Moments: 
First Quarter

• Eastern opened the quarter with threes from Cassesse and Novak as both teams entered a highly contested six-minute scoring run to land just about even, (12-13) UMass Boston. 
• At the four-minute mark, Novak sparked a 7-0 Warrior run with her second three of the afternoon, followed by helpers from Marissa Nudd (Colchester) and Alyssa Paquette (Claremont, NH) while Maddie Topa (New Hartford) secured a trey just outside the arc, earning the Warriors' largest lead of the quarter. 
• Boston fought back briefly, though time dwindled to only a minute remaining. Madison Hagget offered a layup to get the Beacons back on track, but efforts fell short as Nudd sank a closing jumper to maintain the gap and closeout the quarter 24-18.

Second Quarter

• The Warriors entered the second quarter with heavy momentum, but an unexpected turnover stalled their possession as the Beacons chipped away at the lead, capped by a driving layup from Ashleigh Lagor. Though Eastern was not far, Paquette re-solidified the lead midway through with three straight trips to the basket, giving Eastern a 30-23 advantage with five minutes to play.
• In efforts to edge the Warriors, Boston's Turner-Foster capitalized, and with help from Lagor, the Warriors' offensive pressure slowed to a stop as the Beacons chipped away at the lead, cutting Eastern's original seven-point advantage to two as they closed out the quarter 32-20, the Warriors scarcely in front.

Third Quarter

• In a tightly contested quarter, the two conference teams continued their battle, tying 35-35 with seven to go. UMass Boston, unwilling to let go of their momentum, opened their offense to long-range shots as Tajeiha Madison sank two dire threes, with Sabanna Berrios following right behind her with a driving layup, taking the once-held Warrior lead and flipping it to their favor with a five-point stretch. 
• The Beacon's Turner-Foster made good at the line, adding three more points while Topa secured a lone one before the buzzer, Eastern trailing 42-46 heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

• The fourth quarter saw both teams trading baskets and defensive stops, but after a brief tie, Katelyn Novak knocked down a crucial three, cutting the deficit to one, and the basket would be the fire starter for the Warriors' comeback.
• Over the final four minutes, Cassesse added back-to-back free throws and a layup to swing the lead, while Novak's fourth three of the game and Cassesse's additional trip to the line extended the advantage, giving the Warriors full control as UMass Boston struggled to respond. In the final minute, it was the Novak-Cassesse show as the Warriors closed the conference match victorious, 60-54.

Stats:

• Eastern Conn. St.: 20-54 FG (37.0%), 9-25 3PT (36.0%), 11-19 FT (57.9%)
  UMass Boston : 21-61 FG (36.1%), 4-18 3PT (22.2%), 6-10 FT (60.0%)
• Rebounds: Eastern 34, UMass Boston  32
• Assists: Eastern 14, UMass Boston  17
• Turnovers: Eastern 20, UMass Boston  14
• Points in the Paint: Eastern 14, UMass Boston  32
• Second-Chance Points: Eastern 7, UMass Boston  11
• Fast Break Points: Eastern 2, UMass Boston  14
• Points off Turnovers: Eastern 12, UMass Boston  19
• Bench Points: Eastern 2, UMass Boston 12

Game Notes:

• Nudd led the warriors with 18 points and a team-high of 10 rebounds, while Novak added 12 points, nine rebounds, and four steals.
• Cassesse contributed 11 points, and Paquette chipped in 10 points with six rebounds and two blocks.
• With the win, Eastern improves to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in Little East Conference play.

Up Next:
Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball will  visit the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth  Wednesday at 7 p.m.