DANBURY, Conn. - The Western Connecticut State University Wolves led, 51-41, after three quarters but were outscored, 24-8, in the fourth frame, falling, 65-59, against the visiting Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors in women's basketball action this evening at Feldman Arena.  WestConn falls to 3-4 and Eastern Connecticut improves to 2-5.  The game was the Little East Conference opener for both teams.  The Wolves will visit LEC rival Southern Maine next on Saturday at 1 p.m.  Senior forward Sara Macary (Naugatuck, Conn.) had a team-high 16 points to go with three assists and three steals for WestConn.

WestConn outscored the Warriors in each of the first three quarters.  Senior Malaysia Dingle (Brockton, Mass.) made a three-pointer and Macary converted on a pair of free throws to lift the Wolves to a 32-24 lead with 1:29 left in the second quarter.  Juliana Conte drilled a late trey for Eastern Connecticut to help the visitors pull to within 33-28 at halftime.  Macary and Dingle made consecutive buckets to push WestConn's lead to double digits at 42-32 at the 5:42 mark of the third frame.  Macary converted on an old-fashioned three-point play in the final minute of the third to make the score, 51-39, but Eastern Connecticut's Liv Cassesse answered with a pair of free throws three seconds before the final break.

Alyssa Paquette scored six points during an 11-1 Warrior run to open the fourth quarter, tying the game at 52-52 with 5:37 on the clock.  WestConn sophomore guard Deona Garcia (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) gave the home team the lead back on a drive and scored again moments later to make the score, 56-55, in the Wolves' favor with 2:32 remaining.  Eastern Connecticut scored the next seven points, however, including five by Cassesse.  Garcia scored three more points on a traditional three-point play to make it a one-possession game with 25 seconds left, but Cassesse made three of four free throws to preserve the victory for the Warriors.

Dingle joined Macary in double figures in scoring for WestConn with 10 points and added three assists, while sophomore Fatmata Barrie (Staten Island, N.Y.) had seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds, and senior Leana Heitmann (East Syracuse, N.Y.) collected nine points, seven boards, three assists, and a pair of steals.  WestConn made just two three-pointers in 21 tries and committed 24 turnovers.  Cassesse and Marissa Nudd scored 16 points apiece for Eastern Connecticut.  Nudd also had nine rebounds and Cassesse had six assists and three steals.  The Warriors made 22 of 27 shots from the foul line.