DANBURY, Conn. - Senior captain guard Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) collected 11 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and two steals to lead the Western Connecticut State University Wolves to a 62-42 win over the visiting Keene State College Owls in Little East Conference (LEC) women's basketball action this afternoon at Feldman Arena.  WestConn snaps a three-game losing skid, winning their first game of 2024 to improve to 5-11 overall and 1-6 in the Little East.  Keene State drops to 6-7 overall and 2-3 in the league.  The Wolves will visit conference rival UMass-Dartmouth next on Saturday at 1 p.m.

WestConn outscored the Owls in every quarter and erupted for 20 points while allowing just five to pull away in the third frame. The first quarter was played evenly, as junior center Tyonna Morgan (West Haven, Conn.) scored inside with 46 seconds left to give the Wolves an 11-9 lead at the first break.  In the second stanza, senior guard Sydney Craig (Waterbury, Conn.) ignited a 7-0 run for WestConn over the final 2:46 before halftime with a jumper from the right wing that was followed by a jumper from the left corner by junior forward Alyssa Virtue (Groton, Conn.) and a three pointer with four seconds left by senior guard Nicole Peralta (North Windham, Conn.) that gave the Wolves a 25-22 lead at intermission.

The Wolves defense held the Owls without a point for the first 11:49 of the third quarter and racked up 16 points over that stretch to lead, 41-22, at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter.  Peralta and Vivian both had six points during the 16-0 run, while Samantha Lee ended Keene State's 14:35 scoring drought on a layup with 3:11 on the clock.  Senior center Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) hit a pair of jumpers late in the third for the Wolves who led, 45-27, with one period remaining.  The Wolves extended their advantage to as many as 25 points at 56-31 on a steal and layup by sophomore guard Malaysia Dingle (Holbrook, Mass.) at the 5:41 mark and coasted from there.

WestConn shot 46.2 percent from long range and dominated the glass with a 45-to-29 advantage.  Keene State was abysmal shooting the ball from the floor (30.9%), beyond the arc (15.4%), and the foul line (50%).  Peralta scored a game-high 15 points, making five of six three-pointers, and added three assists, while Franks had 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, and Morgan was stellar off the bench with 10 points, 12 boards, and two blocked shots.  Brynn Rautiola paced Keene State with 14 points and Lee finished with 10 points and four steals.