SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Connecticut College women's basketball team fell to Springfield College by a 61-46 score on Saturday afternoon at Blake Arena.

Springfield (5-4) raced out to a 9-0 advantage and led for most of the contest. Senior Nancy Coulverson (Queens, N.Y.) came off the bench and ended the scoreless drought by sinking a shot near the right elbow, but Taylor Hall answered on the other end by getting herself to the line and making a pair from the stripe. The Camels closed the gap to four on a layup by Casey Walsh (Phoenixville, Pa.) and only trailed 14-10 after the first quarter.

The Pride got off to another quick start in the second quarter, netting the first six points, and maintained the lead throughout the frame. The Camels attacked the glass to get extra opportunities offensively and came within seven when sophomore Claire Gulbin (Wilton, Conn.) canned a 3-pointer. However, the hosts closed the half by scoring eight of the next 12 points to head into recess ahead by twin figures.

Connecticut College stormed back in the second half and opened up the third quarter on a 16-3 run. Senior Sami Ashton (Clinton, Conn.) scored the first six points to spark the comeback, tied the game at 31s by driving in for a layup with 4:35 left, and then she set up sophomore Jenna Whelan (Bernardsville, N.J.) to give the Camels their first lead at the 4:09 mark.

But despite surrendering the lead, Springfield was able to answer right back and regained the lead when Emily Jacques drilled a 3-pointer to make it 36-35 with 2:56 left. Hall then put together a 3-point play the old-fashioned way, and the Pride ended the quarter clinging to a 41-38 advantage.

Springfield College's momentum into the fourth quarter, as the team continued what would turn into a 24-10 run after taking a timeout when trailing 33-31 in the third. The Pride built their lead back up to double digits at 51-40 when Jacques sank a jumper with 5:27 left, and the Camels would not be able to recover. The hosts converted free throws in the final minutes to eventually lock up their fifth victory of the season.

Jacques scored a career-best 22 points to lead the way for Springfield College. She also filled the box score with six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. Hall netted 16 points, which included hitting 8-of-9 from the stripe, and Stephanie Lyons added 12 points. Sam Hourihan contributed seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Connecticut College (3-5) was paced by Whelan and Ashton. Whelan netted a team-leading 15 points, which was also a career high, and Ashton scored 13. Gulbin notched seven points, six boards, and two steals, while freshman Molly Cronin (Wellesley, Mass.) stepped up to block three shots.

The Camels will take a break for final exams and return to action when they host Endicott on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.