WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William and Mary women's basketball team picked up a convincing 62-47 victory over Northeastern on Sunday afternoon inside of Kaplan Arena. Senior Jazmen Boone scored a team-high 14 points in the victory. With the win, the Tribe improves to 14-14, 8-9 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Huskies fall to 4-23, 1-16 in league action.
Prior to the game, W&M honored its four member senior class with a brief ceremony. Seniors Jazmen Boone, Kyla Kerstetter, Anna Kestler, and Mackenzie Morrison were all honored.
Boone chipped in seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals to go along with her team-high 14. Sophomore Alexandra Masaquel was the only other Tribe player in double-figures with 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
Trailing 7-6, W&M burst out on a 9-0 run to grab a 15-7 lead. A layup from freshman Abby Rendle regained the lead, before Kerstetter canned a triple. Boone scored the next four points accounting for the rest of the points on the run.
After Northeastern cut the lead to two, 20-18, the Tribe finished the half on a 12-2 run. Kerstetter, sophomore Latrice Hunter, and Masaquel each hit jumpers, before Rendle hit a layup, giving W&M its first double-digit lead of the day. Masaquel hit another jumper, before the Huskies answered. A pair of freshman Jenna Green free throws ended the run for W&M.
The Green and Gold's halftime lead was aided by another strong shooting half, as the Green and Gold shot 51.9-percent (14-of-27) from the field in the opening stanza.
W&M opened the second half on an 11-2 run to extend its lead to 19 points and ice the game. Boone opened the frame with a jumper, before Northeastern hit a basket. The Tribe rallied for the next seven points on a jumper from Masaquel, a traditional three-point play from Boone, and a jumper from Green.
The College extended its lead to as many as 24 points on three separate occasions during the second half and remained largely in control. Northeastern was only able to get as close as 15 points, the final score of 62-47.
W&M's defense played another big role in a victory. The Tribe forced 24 turnovers, which was the 15th time this season this season the Tribe forced more than 20 miscues. W&M had 16 steals, led by Boone's five thefts. It was the third time this season the Tribe held an opponent under 50 points.
Rendle just missed double figures with eight points and two rebounds. Kerstetter, Morrison, and Hunter each chipped in seven points for the Tribe. Morrison, who made her first start of the season, added a block and a steal, while Kerstetter grabbed seven boards, two assists, and two steals.
A'lece Mark led Northeastern with a game-high 17 points. She was the lone Huskie in double-figures, but Samantha DeFreese added eight points and four rebounds, and Amencie Mercier had seven points.
The College concludes its regular season on when they play host to Towson on Wednesday, March 4. Tipoff between the Tribe and Tigers is set for 7 p.m.
