Franklin, MA- The Dean College Women's Basketball team was defeated by Westfield State University on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 99-64. The Bulldogs drop the opening game of 2026 and fall to 5-7 (0-0 GNAC), while the Owls improve to 8-3 overall (0-0 MASCAC).

How it Happened:
-While the Owls pulled out ot the early lead, Dean kept with the pace. Westfield State only led by five points, 24-19, at the end of the opening frame. 
-Senior Abigail Lacy (Arroyo Grande, CA) had the Bulldogs' first points of the game, converting on a layup inside the paint. However, Dean wouldn't score again until over three minutes later. Azaria Landry (Lacey, WA) knocked down a jump shot from mid-range. 
-In between the second to fourth minutes of the game, only two points would be scored from both sides combined. Gianna Strange would score the layup for the Owls, marking their sixth point of the contest.
-Westfield State would put the pedal to the floor in the final minutes of the frame, converting multiple times from beyond the arch. Dean would continue to fight on their side as well, seeing increased production from both Landry and Lacy. They led the team in first quarter scoring with six points each. 
-The Owls would go into the locker room with the lead, 51-25. They also outscored Dean 27-6 in the second quarter.
-Dean would pick up the pace in the third quarter, scoring 18 points. Hallie Stokes (Windermere, FL) would jump into the scorer's box, scoring eight points and converting on 50 percent on her three-point attempts. Kendrah Doane (New Salem, MA) also scored five points in the frame. 
-Dean's leading scorer, however, wouldn't be revealed until the final quarter. Jordan Ellis (Bridgeport, CT) put on a clinic in the final frame, scoring 11 points, two rebounds, and a steal. He two rebounds would also complete her third double-double of the season. She would lead Dean's best scoring quarter of 20 total points.
-Despite a strong effort in the end, it would be the Owls taking home the win by a final score of 99-64. 

Standouts:
-Ellis DOUBLE-DOUBLE (17 Points, 10 Rebounds, Assist, 2 Steals)
-Landry (15 Points, 5 Steals, 3 Rebounds)
-Lacy (14 Points, 9 Rebounds, Steal)
-Stokes (11 Points, Assist, 2 Rebounds, Steal)

Next Up:
-Thursday, January 8th, 2:00PM @ Wellesley College (Non-Conference Finale)

For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu