Anna Maria Dominates Elms with Strong Second Quarter Surge

 Chicopee, Mass. – Anna Maria College would travel to Chicopee, MA to take on the Blazers of Elms College and the AMCATS would deliver a commanding performance on the road, defeating Elms College. 74 to 55. The Amcats secured their ninth conference win behind a stellar second quarter, outscoring Elms 24-8 and never looking back.

The first quarter was a tightly contested battle, with Anna Maria holding a slim 13-12 lead. Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm early, exchanging turnovers and missed opportunities. However, Anna Maria's defensive intensity forced crucial turnovers that set the tone for the remainder of the game.

The second quarter belonged to the Amcats, as they ramped up their pressure on both ends of the floor. Marinique Reddin led the charge, scoring key buckets while distributing the ball effectively. Tiffany Salazar and Sharayah Scott-Cummins provided much-needed perimeter scoring, helping Anna Maria build a 37-20 halftime lead.

Elms attempted to rally in the third quarter, showing resilience with a 16-point effort. However, every time they gained momentum, Anna Maria responded with strong defensive stands and clutch baskets. Sarah O'Connor knocked down a critical three-pointer midway through the third, keeping the Blazers at bay.

In the final quarter, Anna Maria's offense remained consistent, fueled by standout performances from Madison Paulhus and Scott-Cummins. Paulhus, in particular, was instrumental in closing out the game, securing defensive rebounds and pushing the tempo in transition. The Amcats sealed the victory with a 22-point fourth quarter, maintaining a comfortable lead until the final buzzer.

Beyond The Box Score:
-Madison Paulhus would lead the AMCATS with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 three-pointers

-It would be Marinique Reddin to also strongly contribute for the AMCATS putting up  17 points, 5 assists, 5 steals

-Sharayah Scott-Cummins would put on an impressive perfromance agaisnt the Blazers with 14 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 three-pointers

COMING UP:

Anna Maria looks to continue their momentum as they travel to Emmanuel College on Saturday, February 22, for another GNAC showdown. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM EST.