DANBURY, Conn. — Despite holding the lead for most of regulation, the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team dropped a tough 66-58 Little East Conference (LEC) matchup to the visiting UMass Boston Beacons on Wednesday. The Wolves moved to 8-13 overall and 3-9 in the league, while the Beacons improved to 12-9 and 6-6. Three Wolves recorded double figures in points: Sara Macary (Naugatuck, Conn.) had 15, Leana Heitmann (East Syracuse, N.Y.) netted 12, and Malaysia Dingle (Brockton, Mass.)  put up 11.

WestConn opened the scoring with five consecutive points off a three-pointer by Dingle and a layup in the paint by Macary. The teams traded baskets in the first quarter before a six-point run by the Wolves gave the hosts the 15-9 advantage with less than two minutes in the period. Halfway through the second, the Beacons narrowed the deficit to within one point, but WestConn retaliated with six unanswered points capped off by a jumper from Elise Chanka (Bridgeport, Conn.).

With 4:35 remaining in the third, WestConn had a seven-point lead, but a 10-3 visitors' run tied the score at 42 with less than a minute left in the quarter. A made free throw and a layup by Madison Haggett secured the first Beacons lead of the second half. UMass Boston maintained the lead for the remainder of the fourth quarter.

WestConn travels to Vermont State University Castleton for a road LEC game on February 9 for a 5 p.m. tip off.