WENHAM, Mass. -- The Amherst College women's basketball team has opened the season with back-to-back wins for the 14th straight season after a 79-42 win over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the Gordon Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Bennett Center. Senior Gabrielle Zaffiro scored a career-high 19 points to pace the Mammoths' offense.
"It was great to play basketball again," said head coach G.P. Gromacki. "The team has really come together this early in the season and played with a lot of energy and excitement. I'm very pleased with our start."
Amherst (2-0), ranked 16th in the preseason D3hoops.com poll, handed the Bears (2-1) their first loss of the young season. The Mammoths return to Amherst for the home opener on Monday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. against Rhode Island College at LeFrak Gymnasium.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The teams were deadlocked at 15-15 through the end of the first quarter but the Mammoths held a 24-12 advantage in the second to deliver a 12-point halftime lead for Amherst. Zaffiro picked up 13 points in this quarter alone.
- The Mammoths defense clamped down in the third and held Coast Guard to just 4 points. Amherst maintained a lead of at least 20 points throughout the fourth quarter.
BY THE NUMBERS
- In addition to Zaffiro's 19 points, the senior guard added 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
- Sophomore Reeya Patel matched her output of 11 points from her collegiate debut yesterday.
- Senior Dani Valdez stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
- Kira Wood led Coast Guard with 12 points.
