FRANKLIN, Mass.- The Dean College Bulldogs avenged last year's lopsided loss, defeating the Wentworth Institute of Technology 71-66 on Saturday in a non-conference women's basketball matchup at Pieri Gym.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead. Dean outscored the Leopards 20-10 in the first frame Sophomore Abi Boutin (Rocky Hill, Conn.) scored ten points in the quarter. WIT narrowed the gap in the second period, outscoring the Bulldogs 17-15 to pull to 35-27 at the halftime break. 

Dean opened the third quarter ice cold, shooting zero for their first 16 shots, before hitting their final two of the period. Despite that, Dean limited the damage, only ceding two points to Wentworth in the period and entering the final quarter up 44-38. In an action packed fourth quarter, both teams scored their highest total of the day., with Wentworth recording 28 points to Dean's 27. Dean shot 54% for the period while the Leopards shot 46%. The game was in the balance down the stretch. After back to back three pointers from Maranda Cournoyer (Millville, Mass.) and Kendrah Doane (New Salem, Mass.) swelled the Bulldogs lead to 58-49 with four minutes to play, Wentworth's Brianna Carroll hit multiple big shots down the stretch, including two three pointers in the closing minutes. Her final three, with 39 seconds to go,  closed the gap to two points, the closest it had been all quarter. Free throws by Boutin and Doane pushed the Bulldog lead up to five, and the Bulldogs were able to hold on for a crucial non-conference victory.

Dean had four players in double figures, with senior Tori Viau (Johnston, R.I.) leading the way with 21 points. Boutin added 13 while Doane and senior Alexandria Paquet (Santa Maria, Calif.) both scored ten. Paquet also contributed a team-high 12 rebounds. Courneyor scored nine points to round out an impressive performance from the Bulldog's starting five.

Dean was defeated by Wentworth 75-33 a year ago. The win for the Bulldogs (3-3) is one more than they recorded in the entire 2023-24 season. Dean is back in action on Tuesday when they host Fitchburg State in non-conference action at 3 p.m.