Henniker, N.H. – New England College women's basketball would hand Husson University their first conference loss of the season as the Pilgrims topped the Eagles 84-76 in overtime Friday evening.

With the win the Pilgrims improve to 12-6 on the season and 6-5 in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play.  The loss drops the Eagles to 12-5 overall and 10-1 in the NAC.

PILGRIM LEADERS

Five different Pilgrims finished in double-figures, including Breana Ramirez who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds.  Utshana Durham and Tanner Favreau each finished with a team-best 15 points, while LaQuil McKnight chipped in 14 and Marjani Lillard 10 points.  NEC's Tiffany Davis led all rebounders pulling down 16 on the evening.

EAGLE LEADERS

Husson's Rebecca Young led all scorers finishing with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting.  Chandler Guerrette chipped in 18 points for the Eagles, while Victoria McIntyre finished with eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Husson would have the lead the entire first half of play leading by as many as 11 midway through the second quarter.  NEC would cut the lead to seven late in the opening half before Husson's Chandler Guerrette would sink the layup as time expired giving the Eagles the 40-31 halftime lead.

Husson would continue to control much of the offense in the third quarter outscoring NEC 22-18 extending their lead to 11 heading into the final quarter.  The Pilgrim defense would hunker down in the fourth quarter holding the Eagles to just seven points.  NEC would take their first lead of the game at the 1:46 mark in the fourth as Breana Ramirez would convert on a layup putting the Pilgrims up 66-64. 

The Pilgrims would hold the slight advantage heading into the final seconds of the game but Guerrette would draw a foul on her way to the basket as time expired and came through with two clutch foul shots knotting the game at 69-69 at the end of regulation.

NEC would score the first five points in overtime and never trail as Husson would get within three late but the Pilgrims would hit three of their final four foul shots to capture the 84-76 victory.

WHAT'S NEXT

New England College will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 30 when they host conference opponent Maine Maritime Academy.

Husson will hit the court again on Saturday, Jan. 30 when they travel to take on Colby-Sawyer College. ​