DANBURY, Conn.(Nov. 26) —(WCSU Sports Information) Senior Jackie Zilnicki (Riverhead, N.Y.) scored 11 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds to record a double-double and lead the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team to a 54-38 victory over in-state rival Connecticut College Monday evening at Feldman Arena.

Also scoring in double figures for Western were junior Caroline Brasa (East Hartford, Conn.) who also scored 11 points, and junior Sciarra Brandt (Thomaston, Conn.) with 10 points.  Sophomore Melissa DiNino (Waterbury, Conn.) finished with 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.

For Connecticut College, sophomore Carlee Smith (Willimantic, Conn.) led with eight points, while junior Tara Gabelman (Irvington, N.Y.) grabbed 10 rebounds.

Connecticut College got on the board first, but then went scoreless for the next four minutes as Western established an early 5-2 lead.  A three-pointer by senior Nicole Eanniello (Danbury, Conn.) pushed the Colonial lead to 10-4, but a layup by Smith pulled Connecticut College to within one point, 16-15, with just under eight minutes remaining in the first half.  A layup by Brandt put Western up 24-17 with a minute remaining, but the Camels scored the final five points of the half to narrow the margin to 24-22 at intermission.

Western extended its lead early in the second half with a 9-4 run for a 33-26 lead, but Connecticut College scored five unanswered points, making the margin 33-31 and prompting a Colonial time-out.  Western held the Camels scoreless over the next four minutes building a 10-point 41-31 lead.  A Brasa layup pushed the lead to 48-34 with under five minutes remaining and Zilnicki scored the game's final four points to secure the 54-38 victory for Western.

For the game, Connecticut College held a 55-47 advantage in rebounds, while the Colonials had a 13-5 edge in assists.  Western finished shooting 29.9% from the floor and 84.6% from the line, with Connecticut College going 20.6% and 64.7% respectively.

With the win, Western's record stands at 4-1, while Connecticut College falls to 1-3.

On a positive note for the Camels, Willa McKinley (Westport, N.Y.) received her first award today with shipment of the ECSU All-Tournament Team trophy from the Camels' opening weekend of play in Willimantic.