(11/24/08) Poultney, VT- Green Mountain College defeated the visiting Pilgrims from New England College in Monday night's contest, 74-61. After a back and forth first five minutes, NEC took control, building a 5 point lead in the first half. Over the final 15 minutes of the opening stanza, the Pilgrims lead fluctuated between 2 and 9, as GMC was never able to tie the contest, and NEC was unable to put significant distance between themselves and the home standing Eagles. New England held a 5 point advantage at the intermission on the strength of LaShawnda Wilson's 17 first half points.

Green Mountain quickly erased the 5 point half time deficit, and the game continued to see-saw back and forth throughout the second half. With six minutes remaining, Green Mountain managed to pull ahead, and extended their lead to double digits with just over two minutes remaining on a transition lay-up by Ashley Day. Green Mountain managed to hold off NEC over the final two minutes, by taking care of the ball, and closed the game out at the free throw line.

Green Mountain's hot shooting, and ability to control their defensive backboard were the differences in the contest. New England College shot 16-31 in the opening half, using 11 offensive rebounds to boost that percentage, while Green Mountain was able to stay within striking distance by shooting a scorching 16-22 from the field in the opening half.

In the second half, GMC limited NEC to 7 offensive rebounds, and their stifling defense held the Pilgrims potent offense to 17 points. Menawhile GMC continued it's hot shooting, going 13-23 from the floor, and finishing the game shooting at a 64.6% clip from the field.

Green Mounatin placed 4 players in double figures, senior Brittany Holden (Schenectady, NY) led the way with 21 points, 8 assists and 5 steals, senior Christina Chamberlin (Woodstcok, VT) added 11 points and 16 rebounds, sophomore Molly Hopper (Gouvernour, NY) contributed 15 points and 4 rebounds, and freshmen Ashley Day (Mount Vernon, NY) chipped in 11 points.

New England (Burlington, VT) was led by LaShawnda Wilson's 23 points, 11 rebouns and 6 assists.

The game's other major highlight camewith 14:32 remaining in the second half, when senior Christina Chamberlin pulled down her eighth rebound of the contest. That rebound gave her 562 career rebounds, moving her into first place on the all-time rebounding list at Green Mountain College. Chamberlin eclipsed the old mark held by Melissa Bathalon, and now has 570 rebounds for her career.

Green Mountain improved to 3-1 on the season and will return to action on Friday December 5th when the travel to the Merry Monk Tournament hosted by St. Joe's of Maine. New England College falls to 3-3 on the season, and they will return to the court Tuesday December 2nd when they take on the Coast Guard Academy in Henniker, NH.