Colby 75, Bates 60
at Lewiston, Maine

ECAC NEW ENGLAND DIVISION III QUARTERFINAL
NO. 5 COLBY TOPPLES NO. 4 BATES, 75-60

LEWISTON, Maine — A 21-point, five-assist performance from sophomore guard Bianca Belcher, a Lewiston native, helped the visiting fifth-seed Colby College White Mules upend the host Bates College Bobcats, the fourth seed, 75-50, in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III women's basketball quarterfinal matchup tonight.

Bates (18-9) led by as many as six points in the first half at 17-11 when sophomore guard Marcy Grossman (Eastsound, Wash.) converted a traditional three-point play with just under nine minutes in. But sophomore Jasmine Ashe (Cumberland, Maine) answered with a 3-pointer moments later to spark a 19-4 over the next seven minutes that game the White Mules a 30-21 lead with just under two minutes left in the period. Colby extended their lead to 37-27 at the break, a lead that could have been larger if not for a late trifecta from Bates rookie Lauren Dubois (Beverly, Mass.).

Colby (20-7) blew things open by scoring the 10 of the first 12 points of the second half, taking a 47-29 lead on a bucket by junior Katy Lawson (Mount Desert, Maine) at the 14:56 mark. Bates cut the lead back to 12 just over 90 seconds later, but the Bobcats got no closer. Colby led by as many as 24 points before taking the 15-point victory and snapping their nine-game losing streak to Bates.

Bates senior and NESCAC Player of the Year Kate McLaughlin (Laconia, N.H.) led the Bobcats with 19 points and nine rebounds in her final game. First-year guard Laura Nafe (Roland, Ark.) added nine points and a career-high seven assists in the losing effort.

Belcher scored 15 of her game-high 21 points in the second half, including seven-of-eight from the line and four-of-six from the floor. Sophomore center Sarah Walsh (Catonsville, Md.) recorded a double-double with 15 points and game-high 14 rebounds, while contributing four assists, four steals and two blocks. The White Mules enjoyed a 48-36 edge on the boards.

Full box score