NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's basketball team dropped a road contest to Coast Guard by an 88-66 score on Saturday afternoon.
 
Coast Guard (2-0) jumped out to a 6-0 lead by getting back-to-back 3-pointers from Kira Wood and nearly led from wire-to-wire to finish the week with a 2-0 record against its New London rivals. The Camels, who trailed by a touchdown after one quarter of action, took a 24-23 lead with 6:14 remaining in the half on a good jumper by junior Claire Gulbin (Wilton, Conn.). However, the Bears responded with an 18-2 run and were ahead 41-26 with 1:07 remaining and 44-30 at the break.
 
The hosts established complete control by embarking on a 15-2 run in the third quarter and opening up a 59-32 advantage with 5:32 remaining in the third. Wood put the Bears firmly in the driver's seat by sinking a 3-pointer to make it 69-41 through 30 minutes of action, which was more than enough of a cushion to come away with the win.
 
Coast Guard got a double-double performance from Annabella Farabaugh, who registered 16 points and 11 rebounds. Kyra Hartman posted a game-high 23 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor. Wood and Emma Puddington contributed 21 and 18 points, respectively, as well as five helpers apiece.
 
Gulbin paced Connecticut College (0-3) with 17 points, six rebounds, and five steals in the losing effort. Sophomore Jaycie Rojik (Scituate, Mass.) had 14 points and seven boards, which were all offensive, and classmate Molly Cronin (Wellesley, Mass.) finished with nine points by drilling three shots from beyond the arc.
 
Prior to the game, senior Casey Walsh (Phoenixville, Pa.) was recognized for her contributions to the program over the last four years. She ranks seventh on the program's all-time list for 3-point field goals made (91) and is challenging to end her career as the program's all-time leader in 3-point field goal percentage.

Head Coach Jackie Smith on Casey Walsh '21
"I believe one of the highest compliments a coach can give a player is that they make their job easier. Casey does exactly that. She has put the work in to develop into an incredible leader for our team. She knows what to say and when to say it, and she sets the example for our team on and off the floor.
 
I could not be more proud of what Casey has accomplished, and I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to coach her for three years. Casey had every reason in the world to come into this year angry or unmotivated due to the pandemic, but she has been the exact opposite. It takes a special person to be able to do what she has done, and I know she will continue to do amazing things."