Regis Defeats Elms, 64–55, for Second Straight GNAC Win

CHICOPEE, Mass. — The Regis College women's basketball team earned its second Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory of the season tonight, defeating Elms College, 64–55. With the win, the Pride improved to 5–10 overall and 2–0 in conference play.

Madi Zancan and Erika Marinelli were sparks off the bench for the Pride. Zancan delivered a complete performance, finishing with 15 points, 12 rebounds, five steals, and two blocks while Marinelli provided 14 points and three steals. Jillian Perry chipped in seven points, four steals, and two assists in the victory. 

Elms was led by Mary Turco, who recorded 13 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Talia Uribe added 11 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

How it Happened

After falling behind 11-0, Regis' bench sparked the Pride in the opening quarter, accounting for all 15 points as the game was tied at 15 after one.

Regis found its footing early in the second behind a balanced attack, capped by a Jordyn Striggles three pushed the lead to 26-17 with 6:18 remaining. Elms answered with a run, holding the Pride scoreless from the floor until the 3:21 mark, when a JoJo Ready jumper stopped the surge and made it 29-24. The Blazers tied the game at 29 in the closing seconds, but Erika Marinelli buried a three before the horn to send Regis into the break with a 32-29 edge.

The Pride seized control coming out of halftime, opening the third quarter on a 10–1 run to build their first double-digit advantage. Regis' defense stifled Elms, allowing just one field goal over the first five minutes before a jumper at 5:16 made it 42–32. Marinelli later added four straight points to stretch the margin to 15, and the Pride carried a 51–39 lead into the final period.

Elms made a push early in the fourth, trimming the deficit to single digits, but each time Marinelli delivered—first with a pull-up jumper, then with a deep three to restore a 60–49 cushion with 3:46 to play. The Blazers closed with a brief 6–2 run, but it was too little too late, as Kailyn Smith sealed the 64–55 victory at the free-throw line.

Inside the Numbers

• Regis' bench was dominant, nearly doubling Elms with a 41–21 scoring advantage.
• Erika Marinelli's 14-point night marked her fifth double-figure scoring performance of the season.
• Eight of Madi Zancan's 12 rebounds came on the offensive glass. 

Up Next

The Pride remain on the road this Saturday, January 17, traveling to Connecticut to face the University of Saint Joseph Blue Jays at 1 p.m.